Generative AI (GenAI) Policy

This policy covers generative AI and large-language-model tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and AI-assisted image, code, or data tools. It applies to authors, reviewers, and editors of Annals of Infectious Diseases and Therapy and follows COPE and WAME guidance.

Authors

  • AI tools cannot be authors. They cannot take responsibility for the work, declare conflicts of interest, or approve the final version.
  • Disclosure is required. If AI tools were used in the research or in preparing the manuscript — for example to draft or edit text, generate code, analyse data, or create or modify images — describe in the Methods (or Acknowledgements for writing assistance) which tool and version was used, for what purpose, and how the output was checked. Basic spelling, grammar, and reference-management tools do not need to be disclosed.
  • Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content, including anything generated by AI. Authors must verify AI-generated citations exist and are relevant; fabricated references are treated as misconduct.
  • Images. AI-generated or AI-altered scientific images, figures, or artwork are not permitted unless generation is itself part of the research design, is described in the Methods, and the underlying prompts and outputs are provided.
  • Confidentiality. Do not upload unpublished data or manuscripts containing identifiable participant information to public AI tools.

Reviewers

Reviewers must not upload any part of a manuscript, or their review, to a generative AI tool. Doing so breaches confidentiality and may compromise the authors' intellectual property. The review must reflect the reviewer's own expert judgement. Reviewers who used any AI assistance (e.g. for language polishing of their own text, without uploading manuscript content) must disclose it to the editor.

Editors

Editors do not upload manuscripts, reviews, or correspondence to generative AI tools. The journal may use AI-based tools for technical checks (similarity detection, image forensics, reference validation, reviewer suggestion); final decisions are always made by a human editor.

Undisclosed use

Undisclosed use of AI discovered before publication may lead to rejection; after publication, to a correction or retraction under the Corrections and Retractions Policy.

Last updated: 29 September 2026