The journal recognises that generative AI and AI-assisted tools are increasingly used in research and writing. Their use is permitted within limits, and must always be transparent.

For authors:

•      AI tools cannot be listed as an author. Authorship carries responsibility and accountability, which software cannot hold.

•      Use of generative AI in the writing process (language polishing, readability, translation) must be disclosed in a statement before the reference list, naming the tool, version and purpose. Basic grammar and spell-checking tools need not be declared.

•      Use of AI in the research process itself (data generation, coding, analysis, image creation) must be described in the Methodology in enough detail for the work to be reproduced.

•      Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of all content, including any AI-generated text, references or figures. AI-fabricated citations are treated as a serious integrity breach.

•      AI-generated or AI-altered images and figures are not permitted, except where image manipulation is itself the object of the research and is clearly declared.

For reviewers and editors:

•      Manuscripts are confidential. Uploading a manuscript, or any part of it, to a generative AI tool breaches that confidentiality and is prohibited.

•      Review reports and editorial decision letters must reflect the reviewer's or editor's own assessment and must not be generated by AI.

Suggested author declaration: "During the preparation of this manuscript the author(s) used [tool, version] for [purpose]. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article."