The rapid advancement of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies has prompted the need for clear guidance to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality, and originality of scholarly work. This policy sets out the permitted and prohibited uses of such tools for authors, reviewers, and editors involved with Animal Research Perspectives (ARP). Wave Academic Press will monitor technological developments and may revise this policy as appropriate.
Journal's Use of Automated Tools
ARP employs automated tools—including plagiarism detection software (iThenticate)—to support initial manuscript screening and integrity checks. All outputs from these tools are reviewed and validated by human editors before any editorial decision is made. These systems are used solely as supplementary aids, not as substitutes for editorial judgment, and are regularly evaluated to ensure reliability and accuracy.
For Authors
Use in Writing and Language Enhancement
Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies may be used exclusively to improve the readability and language of a manuscript, provided such use is with full human oversight. Authors must carefully review and edit all AI-generated suggestions, as these tools can produce plausible but inaccurate, incomplete, or biased outputs. The authors bear full and final responsibility for the content, accuracy, and originality of the submitted work.
Disclosure Requirement
Any use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in the writing process must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript. A corresponding statement will appear in the published article. This transparency is essential to maintain trust among authors, readers, reviewers, and editors.
Prohibitions
l AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires accountability, originality, and the ability to approve the final version—responsibilities that can only be fulfilled by humans.
l Generative AI must not be cited as a source.
l Authors must not use AI tools to create, alter, enhance, obscure, or manipulate figures, images, or graphical elements in submitted manuscripts. Basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, or colour balance are permissible, provided they do not obscure or eliminate original information.
Exception for Research-Integrated AI
If the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools forms part of the research design or method (e.g., AI-driven imaging or data interpretation in biomedical research), this must be described in full, reproducible detail in the Methods section. Authors must specify the model, version, extension numbers, and manufacturer, and must comply with the AI tool's specific usage policies. Editors may request access to pre-AI-adjusted or raw images for assessment.
Cover Art
The use of generative AI to create cover art may be permitted only with prior written approval from the journal editor and publisher, and only if the author can demonstrate that all necessary rights have been cleared and proper attribution is ensured.
For Reviewers
Confidentiality and Prohibited Use
A submitted manuscript and all associated materials must be treated as strictly confidential. Reviewers must not upload any part of a manuscript, peer review report, or correspondence into any generative AI tool. Doing so risks violating the authors' proprietary rights, confidentiality, and—where personal data is involved—data privacy laws.
This restriction applies equally to peer review reports. Even when used solely for language polishing, uploading a review report to an AI tool is prohibited, as the report itself contains confidential assessment content.
Core Responsibility
Peer review requires critical thinking, domain expertise, and original assessment—capacities that generative AI does not possess. Reviewers must not rely on AI tools to assist in the scientific evaluation of a manuscript, as such tools can produce erroneous, superficial, or biased conclusions. Reviewers remain solely responsible and accountable for the content, quality, and fairness of their review reports.
For Editors
Confidentiality and Prohibited Use
Editors must not upload any part of a submitted manuscript, editorial correspondence, or decision letters into a generative AI tool. Such actions may breach the authors' confidentiality, proprietary rights, and privacy protections.
Decision-Making Integrity
Editorial evaluation and decision-making are fundamentally human responsibilities that demand reasoned judgment and ethical discernment. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies must not be used by editors to assist in the assessment, handling, or final decision on any manuscript. Editors are fully responsible and accountable for all editorial processes, decisions, and communications with authors.
Enforcement
If an editor suspects that an author or reviewer has violated this AI policy, they are required to promptly notify the publisher for appropriate investigation and action.