Generative AI Policy

Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process

To maintain transparency and research integrity, ARSHI Veterinary Letters requires authors to disclose any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted technologies during the preparation of manuscripts.

1. General Principles

Generative AI tools (e.g., large language models, AI-based paraphrasing tools, image generators, or coding assistants) must not be listed as authors. Only individuals who meet the authorship criteria can be credited as authors.

Authors remain fully responsible for the entire content of the manuscript, including any text, figures, code, or analyses generated or assisted by AI tools.

AI tools must not be used for core scientific tasks, including:

  • Formulating the main scientific conclusions

  • Interpreting research results in place of the authors’ own scientific reasoning

  • Conducting peer review on behalf of another individual

AI tools may be used in a limited and responsible manner, for example:

  • Language editing, grammar checking, or style improvement

  • Formatting assistance

  • Generating code snippets that are subsequently reviewed and validated by the authors

2. Mandatory Disclosure

All submitted manuscripts must include a statement regarding the use or non-use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies during the writing process.

This statement should be included in a dedicated subsection titled:

“AI Writing Statement”

placed after the Acknowledgements section and before the Author Contributions section.

2.1 If AI Tools Were Used

If generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used, authors must specify the tool used, its purpose, and confirm that all content has been reviewed and approved by the authors.

Example statement:

“During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [NAME OF TOOL, VERSION] for [e.g., language editing and grammar checking]. After using this tool, the authors carefully reviewed, verified, and edited all generated or modified content and accept full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the manuscript.”

Authors should adjust the bracketed sections to reflect the actual use of the tool.

2.2 If AI Tools Were Not Used

If no generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used, authors should include the following statement:

“The authors confirm that no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the writing or preparation of this manuscript.”

3. Use of AI for Data, Images, and Code

If AI tools are used to generate or substantially modify images, diagrams, figures, or visual materials, this must be clearly described in the Materials and Methods section and/or figure captions.

If AI tools are used to assist in writing code or scripts (e.g., for statistical analysis, modelling, or computational workflows), authors must:

  • Validate the code and its outputs

  • Clearly describe the methods used

  • Take full responsibility for any potential errors or biases introduced

Any synthetic or AI-generated data that are not based on real observations must be clearly identified and distinguished from empirical data.

4. Ethical and Integrity Considerations

AI tools must not be used to fabricate data, references, citations, or images. Such practices constitute scientific misconduct.

Authors must ensure that AI-generated text does not introduce plagiarism, including paraphrased plagiarism, and that all ideas and wording derived from other sources are properly cited.

If the Editorial Team of ARSHI Veterinary Letters suspects undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI, the journal may request additional clarification, original data, or earlier manuscript versions, and may follow established procedures for handling suspected publication misconduct.

5. AI Use by Editors and Reviewers

Peer reviewers engaged by ARSHI Veterinary Letters must not upload or share submitted manuscripts (or any part thereof) with public AI tools or external services that may store or reuse the content.

Editors and reviewers may use AI tools privately (e.g., for language support or structuring their review comments), but they remain fully responsible for:

  • maintaining the confidentiality of the manuscript, and

  • the content and quality of their evaluations.