PQ adopts rigorous policies regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies ("AI Tools") in manuscript preparation, focusing on ensuring human accountability, critical oversight, and transparency.

AI and Authorship

AI Tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author on a manuscript. Authorship carries responsibilities for the integrity and validity of the published work that can only be fulfilled by humans, who must be able to approve the final version and agree to its submission.

Permitted Uses (AI-Assisted Copy-Editing)

The use of AI Tools is permitted to support authors in improving their existing work, provided it is used responsibly and with human oversight.

• Copy-editing: AI Tools may be used for improving language clarity, grammar, spelling, punctuation, structure, or readability of the author’s original text. This includes simple translation of existing text.
• Ideation: AI may be used in the manner of a traditional search engine for generating methodological approaches or identifying gaps in the literature (literature review/bibliography ideation) for the initial research proposal.
• Data Visualization: AI Tools may be used to generate figures, tables, or infographics that visually represent the author’s own already analyzed and existing data.

Prohibited Uses (AI-Driven Content Creation)

AI Tools must not be used to create or draft original content (copywriting) or replace human critical thinking.

• Content Generation: AI must not be used to create, draft, or write any substantive part of the submission, including the abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, or conclusion.
• Data Fabrication: Generating, manipulating, or reporting research data, results, or in-text statistics using generative AI tools is strictly not permitted. The submission of AI-generated content presented as non-machine sourced research data or results is also prohibited.
• Image Creation: The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images or figures in submitted manuscripts is not permitted, unless the use of AI is explicitly part of the research design or methodology and is described reproducibly in the methods section. Creating artistic renderings, cover art, or graphical abstracts using generative AI is also prohibited.
• Reference Verification: Authors are responsible for carefully verifying all AI-generated output, including checking sources, as AI-generated references can be incorrect or fabricated.

Disclosure Requirement

Authors must declare the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies used in the manuscript preparation process upon submission.

This disclosure must be added in a separate declaration statement at the end of the manuscript (before the reference list) when the paper is first submitted. The statement should include:

• The name of the AI Tool/Service used.
• The version of the tool (if applicable).
• The reason for its use (purpose).
• A confirmation that the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the published content.

(Note: Basic tools checking grammar, spelling, or references, which do not use generative AI, generally do not require this declaration.)

AI Use in Peer Review (Reviewers and Editors)

For the protection of author confidentiality and the integrity of the peer review process, reviewers and editors are explicitly prohibited from uploading submitted manuscripts or any part of them into a generative AI tool or Large Language Model (LLM) for evaluation or assessment. Generative AI tools should not be used by editors or reviewers to assist in the scientific evaluation or decision-making process, as human critical thinking and expertise are irreplaceable.

If a reviewer uses a generative AI tool solely for copy-editing and improving the quality of the language in their review report, they must declare this usage transparently to the editorial team, remaining responsible and accountable for the report's accuracy.