Ai Policies

Scope

This policy covers the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as large language models and image generators, by authors, peer reviewers and editors of CRC Journals. It sits alongside our Publication Ethics and Editorial Process policies, and follows the principles of COPE, ICMJE and WAME.

Authorship

AI tools cannot be listed as an author. Authorship carries accountability for the work, consent to publication and responsibility for the integrity of the research, and a tool cannot take these responsibilities. Every named author remains fully responsible for the content of the manuscript.

Disclosure

Authors who use AI tools in preparing a manuscript must say so. In the manuscript, state:

The name and version of the tool
What it was used for, such as language editing, drafting, translation or data analysis
That the authors reviewed the output and take responsibility for it

Place the statement in the Methods or Acknowledgements section. If AI is part of the research method itself, describe it in the Methods in enough detail for others to reproduce the work.

Accuracy and integrity

Check the output. AI tools can produce incorrect statements and invented references. Authors must verify every claim and every citation.
Originality. Text produced by a tool is still subject to our plagiarism policy. Do not present generated text as the work of other authors or reuse it without proper attribution.
Images, figures and data. These must be genuine. Do not create or alter them with AI in a way that misrepresents the results. Where AI-generated or AI-processed material is part of the research, label it and explain how it was produced.
Confidential data. Do not enter unpublished or personal data into tools that store or reuse what is submitted.

Peer reviewers

Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, into a generative AI tool that stores or reuses what is entered. The assessment and the written report must be the reviewer's own judgement. If you used a tool for a minor task, such as checking the language of your own report, you remain responsible for the content of the report.

Editors

Editors must keep submissions, reviews and correspondence confidential. They must not enter manuscripts or reviewer reports into generative AI tools that store or reuse what is entered. Decisions on acceptance, revision and rejection are made by the editor and not delegated to an AI tool.

Breaches of this policy

Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI tools is treated as a publication ethics issue. Concerns are investigated following the COPE flowcharts, and outcomes can include rejection, correction or retraction. To report a concern, write to editor@crcjournals.org.

This policy will be reviewed as guidance from COPE, ICMJE and WAME develops.