AI Policy

The International Journal of Embryo Cryobiology and Reproductive Sciences recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) tools can assist authors, reviewers, and editors in certain aspects of scholarly communication. AI tools should be used responsibly, transparently, and in a manner that protects research integrity and confidentiality.

1. Responsible Use of AI

Authors may use AI tools for appropriate purposes, including:

  • Language and grammar improvement
  • Spelling and proofreading
  • Improving clarity and readability
  • Formatting assistance
  • Brainstorming and organization of ideas
  • Assistance with appropriate data analysis or computational tasks

The use of AI must not compromise the originality, accuracy, or integrity of the manuscript.

2. Author Responsibility

Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their submitted manuscripts, including material generated or assisted by AI.

Authors should:

  • Verify all AI-assisted content.
  • Check scientific claims and interpretations.
  • Verify references and citations.
  • Ensure that data and results are accurate.
  • Confirm that the manuscript is original.
  • Take responsibility for the final submitted version.

3. AI Cannot Be an Author

AI tools and artificial intelligence systems cannot be listed as authors or credited with authorship.

Authorship requires human responsibility for the research, manuscript, and final publication.

4. Disclosure of AI Use

Where AI has been used substantially in preparing a manuscript, authors should disclose the nature and purpose of that use.

The disclosure may include:

  • Name of the AI tool or system
  • Purpose for which it was used
  • Sections or aspects of the manuscript affected
  • Extent of the AI-assisted contribution

Routine spelling, grammar, or formatting assistance may not require detailed disclosure unless otherwise requested by the journal.

5. Accuracy and Verification

AI-generated content can contain inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information. Authors must independently verify:

  • Scientific statements
  • Research findings
  • References
  • Statistical information
  • Citations
  • Technical descriptions
  • Medical or biological information

AI output should not be accepted as authoritative without appropriate human verification.

6. Plagiarism and Copyright

The use of AI does not exempt authors from the journal's plagiarism and copyright requirements.

Authors remain responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted content:

  • Does not reproduce material improperly.
  • Does not contain unattributed copyrighted content.
  • Does not misrepresent the work of other researchers.
  • Meets applicable intellectual property requirements.

7. Confidentiality and Sensitive Information

Authors, reviewers, and editors should not enter confidential, unpublished, proprietary, or sensitive manuscript information into external AI systems when doing so could compromise confidentiality or intellectual property.

8. AI-Generated Images and Data

AI-generated or AI-modified images, figures, datasets, or other research materials should be disclosed where their use is relevant to the research.

AI should not be used to fabricate, manipulate, or misrepresent research data, experimental results, clinical information, images, or scientific evidence.

9. AI Use by Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors should protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts. They should not upload confidential manuscript content into AI systems that could compromise the privacy or security of unpublished research.

AI assistance should not replace the independent professional judgment of reviewers or editors.

10. Research Integrity

AI must not be used to:

  • Fabricate research data
  • Falsify results
  • Manipulate research evidence
  • Generate misleading references
  • Conceal plagiarism
  • Misrepresent authorship or contributions
  • Create false research findings

11. Editorial Consideration

The editorial team may request clarification about the use of AI when necessary to assess the originality, transparency, accuracy, or integrity of a submission.

12. Commitment to Responsible AI

The International Journal of Embryo Cryobiology and Reproductive Sciences supports responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence while maintaining human accountability, research integrity, originality, confidentiality, and ethical standards throughout the publication process.