Ethical Principles Regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies

Our journal acknowledges that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI technologies can be used as auxiliary and supportive tools in scientific research, academic writing, and publishing activities. However, AI systems cannot assume the scientific responsibilities and ethical obligations of authors, reviewers, or editors. Therefore, the use of AI technologies must be guided by the principles of transparency, accuracy, academic integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and research ethics.

General Principles

• Since AI systems cannot fulfill the responsibilities of scientific authorship, they may not be listed as authors or co-authors in articles.

• If AI tools are used at any stage of the research including data analysis, language editing, translation, or the preparation of visual or similar content this use must be disclosed in an appropriate and transparent manner.

• All outputs generated by artificial intelligence including analyses, tables, figures, visuals, and other materials must be carefully reviewed by the user and scientifically validated.

• The person using artificial intelligence tools is responsible for verifying the accuracy, validity, and reliability of the information provided by these tools.

• Personal data, confidential information, unpublished research data, peer-review materials, or any documents subject to confidentiality obligations must not be uploaded to AI systems without ensuring appropriate security and confidentiality measures.

• The use of AI must comply with research ethics, publication ethics, copyright laws, personal data protection regulations, and other relevant legislation, as well as the journal’s publication policies.

Authors’ Responsibilities

If authors utilize artificial intelligence technologies, they must:

• Clearly state the purpose of use, specifying the name and, if possible, the version of the artificial intelligence tool used.

• Review, verify, and make necessary corrections to any analyses, data, visuals, and other outputs generated or developed by artificial intelligence before publication.

• Under no circumstances should they list AI applications as an author or co-author.

• They must not use AI tools to generate fabricated data, false information, fake sources or citations, misleading visuals, or scientifically inaccurate content.

• They must consider the potential consequences of using artificial intelligence in terms of copyright, intellectual property, personal data protection, and data security.

• They are personally responsible for the entire article, the accuracy of the data presented, the reliability of the sources used, and the scientific integrity of the work.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

During the review process, reviewers must:

• Refrain from transferring manuscripts, supplementary materials, review reports, or confidential information related to the review process to artificial intelligence systems.

• Maintain the confidentiality of the review process and refrain from sharing review materials with third parties or platforms.

• Conduct their scientific evaluations in accordance with their areas of expertise, academic knowledge, and independent scientific judgment.

• Not substitute any output generated by artificial intelligence tools for their own peer review evaluation.

• Report the situation to the editor if they suspect that artificial intelligence has been used in a study in a manner that is unethical, misleading, or could compromise scientific integrity.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors must:

• Make decisions regarding the evaluation and publication of articles based on scientific merit, publication ethics, impartiality, and the journal’s publication policies.

• Refrain from sharing confidential manuscript files, review reports, personal information, or other sensitive materials belonging to authors or reviewers with inappropriate AI systems.

• Review declarations of AI use in manuscripts and, when deemed necessary, request additional information from authors regarding the scope and purpose of such use.

• Initiate the necessary editorial investigation if suspicions arise regarding data manipulation, fabricated content, fake sources, misleading information, or other ethical issues that may be related to the use of AI.

• If it is determined that AI has been used in an unethical manner or in a way inconsistent with publication ethics, the journal must take the necessary actions in accordance with its policies and the principles of publication ethics adopted by COPE (1).

Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence Use

If artificial intelligence or generative AI tools are used during the preparation of the study, the name of the tool used, its version (if applicable), and the purpose for which it was used must be clearly stated in the appropriate section of the article.

AI-assisted processes carried out for purposes such as improving grammar and style, translation, technical editing, data analysis, coding, image generation, or similar purposes must also be transparently disclosed according to their scope.

Disclosing the use of artificial intelligence does not transfer scientific responsibility for the work to the AI system. The ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, originality, scientific integrity, and ethical appropriateness of the article’s content rests with the authors in all cases.