When a researcher is invited to review a colleague’s manuscript, they are expected to treat it as a strictly confidential document. Reviewers must not upload any part of the manuscript to generative AI tools, as doing so risks violating the authors’ rights to confidentiality and protection of intellectual property. If the manuscript includes personally identifiable information, this may also infringe data privacy regulations.

This confidentiality obligation applies equally to the peer-review report. Because it may contain sensitive details about the work or its authors, reviewers should refrain from using AI tools to refine the language or improve the readability of their feedback.

Peer review is a cornerstone of the scientific community, and Elsevier upholds the highest standards of integrity throughout the process. Evaluating a scientific manuscript is a human responsibility that requires critical judgment and nuanced analysis. These essential aspects fall beyond the capabilities of current AI tools, which may produce flawed, incomplete, or biased assessments. Therefore, reviewers must rely on their own expertise and remain fully accountable for the content of their review.

Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted tools responsibly in manuscript preparation or, where appropriate, in the research process. AI tools must not replace the authors’ scientific judgment or intellectual contribution. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of their work and must verify all AI-generated or AI-assisted content, including factual claims and references.

AI tools must not be used to fabricate or falsify data, results, references, images, or other research materials, or to create content that does not represent a genuine intellectual contribution by the authors. AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors.

Authors must protect confidential information, personal data, unpublished manuscripts, and third-party intellectual property when using AI tools. Substantive use of generative AI must be disclosed, including the tool used and its purpose. When AI is used as part of the research methodology, its use must also be described in the Methods section. Routine spelling, grammar, and punctuation checks do not require disclosure.

Authors should retain appropriate records of their use of AI tools and may be required to provide such information during editorial assessment. Authors remain responsible for compliance with the journal’s publication ethics and all applicable intellectual property, privacy, and research integrity requirements.