Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

IJDDPI recognises that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies are increasingly used in research and scholarly writing. The following policy applies to authors, reviewers, and editors, and to all stages of the publication process.

For authors — use in scientific writing: Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies may be used only to improve the readability and language of the manuscript, and always under human oversight and control. Authors must carefully review and edit any AI-assisted output, as AI can generate content that sounds authoritative but is incorrect, incomplete, or biased. AI and AI-assisted technologies must not be listed or cited as an author or co-author: authorship implies responsibilities and tasks — including accountability for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the work, approval of the final version, and agreement to its submission — that can only be attributed to and performed by humans. Ultimate responsibility for the content of the manuscript rests with the authors.

Disclosure: Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of the manuscript by adding a statement before the reference list, for example: "During the preparation of this work the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL/SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article." This declaration does not apply to basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, or references. Where AI or AI-assisted tools form part of the research methodology itself (e.g., AI-assisted data analysis, molecular modelling, or imaging), their use must be described transparently in the Methods section.

Figures, images, and artwork: The use of generative AI to create or alter images in submitted manuscripts is not permitted. This includes enhancing, obscuring, moving, removing, or introducing any specific feature within an image or figure. An exception applies only where the use of AI is part of the research design or methods (for instance, AI-assisted imaging approaches); in such cases the use must be described in a reproducible manner in the Methods section, including the name and version of the tool. The use of generative AI to produce cover art or graphical abstracts requires the prior agreement of the editorial office.

For reviewers and editors: A submitted manuscript is a confidential document. Reviewers and editors must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, into a generative AI tool, as this may violate the authors' confidentiality, proprietary, and data-privacy rights. This also applies to peer-review reports and editorial correspondence. The critical assessment underlying peer review and editorial decisions must not be delegated to AI; reviewers and editors are responsible and accountable for the content of their reports and decisions.

Suspected undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI will be handled in line with COPE guidance and may result in rejection of the manuscript or, after publication, correction or retraction of the article.