Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technology Declaration Policy

The Journal of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry (JERD) requires transparency regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and AI-assisted technologies in manuscript preparation, submission, peer review, and editorial processes. This policy aims to promote integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and responsible use of AI in scientific communication.

Author Declaration of AI Use

Authors must disclose any use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation at the time of submission.

AI-assisted tools may be used for limited supportive purposes, such as language editing, grammar correction, translation, improving readability, literature organization, reference checking, statistical or computational support, or preparation of visual materials. However, AI tools must not replace scientific reasoning, interpretation, critical analysis, or authorship responsibility.

Authors are expected to declare, where applicable:

• the AI tool or model used;

• the purpose of use;

• the general scope of use, including whether AI was used for language editing, literature support, data/statistical analysis, figures/images, or as part of the research method;

• any additional explanation necessary for transparency.

Responsibility and Accountability

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, validity, integrity, and final content of the manuscript. All AI-assisted content must be carefully reviewed, edited, verified, and approved by the authors before submission.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or contributors, as they cannot take responsibility or accountability for the work.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use

Acceptable uses may include:

• language polishing, grammar correction, and readability improvement;

• translation support;

• formatting or structural support;

• literature organization or summarization, provided that all information is verified by the authors;

• technical or statistical support, provided that all outputs are checked and validated by the authors.

Unacceptable uses include:

• generating or altering scientific data;

• fabricating references, citations, results, or conclusions;

• producing scientific interpretations without human verification;

• generating peer review reports or reviewer identities;

• submitting undisclosed AI-generated content;

• manipulating clinical, radiographic, microscopic, or other scientific images in a misleading manner.

AI Use in Figures, Images, and Visual Materials

Any use of AI to generate, modify, enhance, or edit figures, graphical abstracts, clinical images, radiographs, microscopy images, or other visual materials must be explicitly disclosed.

AI must not be used to alter scientific or clinical evidence in a misleading way.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Authors must not upload confidential materials, identifiable patient data, unpublished third-party data, sensitive datasets, or any restricted material into AI systems that do not guarantee appropriate data security and confidentiality.

Required Disclosure Statement

If AI-assisted tools were used, authors should include an appropriate statement in the manuscript. The following format may be used:

“During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [tool/model name] for [purpose of use]. The authors reviewed, edited, and verified all AI-assisted outputs and take full responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and final content of the manuscript.”

If no generative AI or AI-assisted tool was used, authors should indicate this during submission. A separate statement in the manuscript is not required unless requested by the editorial office.

Use of AI by Reviewers

Peer reviewers must protect the confidentiality of manuscripts and related materials. Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, figures, data, or other confidential materials into AI tools.

The use of AI tools to generate review reports or replace independent scientific evaluation is not permitted. Reviewer comments and recommendations must be based on the reviewer’s own expertise and judgment.

Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use AI tools only for limited administrative or technical support where appropriate. Editorial decisions must always be made by human editors. AI tools must not replace editorial judgment, peer review evaluation, or responsibility for editorial decisions.

Editors must ensure that manuscript confidentiality is preserved at all stages of the editorial process.

Verification and Compliance

JERD reserves the right to request clarification regarding AI use when necessary. Undisclosed, inappropriate, or misleading use of AI may result in editorial action, including request for revision, rejection, withdrawal, correction, or retraction, in accordance with publication ethics standards.

Policy Updates

This policy may be updated periodically in line with evolving international publication ethics standards and technological developments.