Generative AI Policy

In response to the increasing use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, this policy is established to provide transparency and clear guidelines for authors, reviewers, and editors involved in the submission and publication process. MECHTA is committed to maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of all contributions and ensuring trust among all participants.

 For Authors

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Scientific Writing
Authors are allowed to use generative AI and AI-assisted tools solely for improving the readability and language of their manuscripts. These tools must be used under human oversight, and authors are required to carefully review and edit the output, as AI may produce incorrect, incomplete, or biased content. Authors bear full responsibility for the content of their work. Authors must disclose the use of AI or AI-assisted technologies within their manuscript. A clear statement will be included in the published work to ensure transparency. AI or AI tools should not be listed as an author or co-author, as authorship requires human accountability, including approval of the final work, addressing integrity concerns, and adherence to authorship criteria.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Figures, Images, and Artwork
The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create, manipulate, or alter images, figures, or artwork in submitted manuscripts is not permitted. Adjustments such as brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable only if they do not obscure original data or features. Exceptions apply only when AI is part of the research methodology, such as AI-assisted imaging techniques. In such cases, authors must clearly explain the AI usage, including the name, version, and manufacturer of the tool, in the methods section. 

 For Reviewers

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Peer Review
Manuscripts provided for peer review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, or any portion thereof, into generative AI tools, as doing so may compromise the authors' confidentiality and proprietary rights. Similarly, peer review reports must not be generated or refined using AI tools, as these reports may contain confidential information. Reviewing a manuscript requires critical evaluation, original thought, and scientific judgment, which are beyond the capabilities of AI. Generative AI tools must not be used to assist in the peer review process, as this introduces risks of inaccuracies, bias, or incomplete assessments. Reviewers are solely responsible and accountable for the content of their review reports.

 For Editors

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Editorial Decision-Making
Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Uploading manuscripts, decision letters, or any editorial communication into generative AI tools is strictly prohibited to protect author confidentiality and proprietary information. The editorial process requires critical thinking, human judgment, and scientific expertise. Generative AI tools must not be used to assess or make decisions on manuscripts, as they may produce unreliable, biased, or incomplete conclusions. Editors are fully responsible and accountable for all editorial decisions and communications with authors. If editors suspect misuse of AI tools by authors or reviewers, they should notify the publisher for further investigation.

 Use of AI-Assisted Tools in MECHTA's Editorial Process

MECHTA may employ secure, identity-protected AI-assisted technologies for specific internal processes, such as plagiarism checks, identifying suitable reviewers, or improving workflow efficiency. These tools comply with data privacy regulations and undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure fairness and accuracy.

By adhering to this policy, MECHTA ensures the highest standards of ethical publishing, confidentiality, and scientific integrity in the age of AI technologies.