AI Policy
BJEAS recognises that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies are increasingly used in research and writing. The journal applies the following policy, consistent with COPE's position statement on authorship and AI tools.
- AI cannot be an author. Generative AI tools do not satisfy the ICMJE authorship criteria because they cannot take responsibility for the submitted work, approve the final version, or be held accountable for its integrity. AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors, and must not be cited as authors.
- Disclosure is mandatory. Authors who use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, in the generation of figures or images, in code generation, or in data analysis must disclose this in a dedicated statement placed before the References, specifying the tool used, its version, the date, and the purpose. Example: "During the preparation of this manuscript the authors used [tool, version] to improve the readability of the English text. The authors reviewed and edited the output and take full responsibility for the content of the publication."
- Basic language editing. Use of AI limited to grammar, spelling, and readability correction of text written by the authors does not require disclosure, but authors remain fully responsible for the final text.
- Prohibited uses. AI tools must not be used to fabricate, alter, or manipulate data, results, figures, or images; to generate references; or to produce substantive scientific content presented as the authors' own reasoning.
- Reviewers and editors. Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts, or any part of them, to generative AI systems, as this breaches confidentiality and may compromise the authors' rights. Review reports must reflect the reviewer's own assessment.
- Verification. Authors are responsible for verifying every reference, equation, quantity, and statement in the manuscript. AI-fabricated citations are treated as a form of research misconduct.
