BioInsights: AI Policy
1. Purpose
This policy outlines BioInsights’ approach to the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation, review, and publication of content. It applies to all authors, reviewers, editors, and BioInsights staff, and aims to promote transparency, accountability, and scientific integrity while supporting the ethical use of AI tools.
2. Authorship and Accountability
• Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
• AI must not replace core author responsibilities in research, analysis, data generation, or writing.
• Authors remain fully responsible for the integrity, originality, and accuracy of all submitted work.
3. Disclosure of AI Use
Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in the preparation of their article, including:
• Text generation or substantive editing
• Image creation or modification
• Data analysis or visualization
The disclosure should appear in the Methods or Acknowledgements section and specify which tools were used and for what purpose.
4. AI Process Statement
All submissions must include an AI Process Statement confirming whether AI tools were used and, if so, how.
Examples:
If AI used:
AI Process Statement: The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to assist with grammar correction. All content has been reviewed and verified by the authors for accuracy and originality.
If no AI used:
AI Process Statement: The authors confirm that no assistive or generative AI tools were used in the preparation of this article.
5. Publication of AI Process Statements
BioInsights will publish the AI Process Statement alongside accepted articles (normally following the Acknowledgements section) to maintain transparency and reader trust.
5. Acceptable and Unacceptable AI Use
| Acceptable | Unacceptable |
| Using AI for grammar, spelling, or stylistic edits, followed by full human review | Using AI to write or substantially rewrite sections of the manuscript |
| Using AI to help outline or structure ideas before drafting | Allowing AI to determine interpretations, conclusions, or the scientific argument |
| Using AI to summarize literature as a starting point, with human verification and citation of original sources | Using AI-generated text without verifying accuracy or citing relevant primary literature |
| Using AI for reference formatting only (e.g., citation style, ordering) | Using AI to generate or invent references, data, or factual claims |
| Using AI to improve clarity for non-native English authors | Presenting AI-generated or AI-edited text without human review or accountability |
| Creating conceptual or illustrative images using AI when fully disclosed | Using AI to create scientific images, figures, or data visualizations presented as real experimental results |
| Using AI to check consistency (terminology, abbreviations, formatting) | Using AI tools in ways that compromise confidentiality (e.g., uploading manuscripts to public AI systems) |
8. BioInsights’ Use of AI
BioInsights uses AI tools selectively to enhance efficiency, quality control, and editorial consistency across its publishing services.
AI is always used under human oversight and never replaces the expert judgment of our editors, reviewers, or authors.
Peer review
• Internal AI tools may be used to prepare anonymized article files for peer review and processing. These tools operate in secure environments and do not store or share content externally, nor are they used to train external models.
• AI tools may be used internally to assist editors in identifying suitable peer reviewers based on topic alignment, publication history, and expertise.
• No manuscript content or reviewer reports are ever uploaded into external AI platforms.
• AI may support workflow tracking, report generation, and reviewer database organization.
• All decisions regarding editorial evaluation, peer review, and article acceptance are made exclusively by human experts.
Editorial Processes and Article Creation
• Editors may use AI to cross-check internal consistency (e.g., abbreviation use, data formatting, and adherence to house style).
• AI may assist with language improvement, including grammar, readability, or tone, particularly for non-native English authors.
• AI may be used for reference formatting but not for generating or suggesting new references.
• No manuscript content or reviewer material is uploaded to public or third-party AI systems.
• Editors may use AI during content development to support early-stage tasks such as initial research, literature summarization, or tidying raw audio transcripts under full human oversight.
• All editorial decisions, analysis, narrative development, and final editing are carried out entirely by human editors.
Quality Assurance and Process Improvement
• Internally, AI supports project management and data reporting functions (e.g., content performance metrics, turnaround times, and readership trends).
• BioInsights continuously reviews and audits all AI-assisted processes to ensure transparency, confidentiality, and data protection compliance.
9. AI Misuse and Detection
BioInsights actively monitors submissions for inappropriate or undisclosed AI use. Editors should remain alert for:
• Fabricated or inconsistent references
• Unrealistic or unverifiable data
• Generic phrasing inconsistent with author style
• AI image artifacts (e.g., distorted text or labels)
Suspected cases will be investigated and, if necessary, corrected, retracted, or reported in accordance with COPE guidelines.
10. AI detection tools
BioInsights does not rely on AI detection tools as evidence of misconduct during the review process. Current evidence and guidance from research-integrity bodies indicate that AI detection tools are not sufficiently accurate or fair to be used as evidence of misconduct, and referring to them can imply an unfounded accusation.
Where appropriate, editors will focus their concerns solely on observable issues in the manuscript, such as incorrect references or inconsistent data, and not on automated “AI scores.”
11. Review and Maintenance
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner in line with updates from COPE, ICMJE, or STM regarding ethical AI use in publishing.
In Summary
BioInsights encourages transparent, responsible, and verifiable use of AI as a supporting tool; never a creative substitute. All content ultimately reflects human expertise, ethical rigor, and scientific integrity.