Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy

Table of Contents

Contemporary Pediatric Dentistry

In line with the journal’s commitment to academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing practices, Contemporary Pediatric Dentistry adopts the following policy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools in scholarly activities, including authorship, editorial management, peer review, and visual content creation.

Author Responsibilities and Use of GenAI Tools

Authorship and Accountability

  • Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot) cannot be listed as authors or co-authors under any circumstances.
  • Authors are solely responsible for the content, accuracy, scientific validity, and originality of their submitted work.
  • The use of AI tools does not absolve authors from ethical and scientific responsibilities.

Transparency and Disclosure

  • Any use of GenAI tools must be explicitly disclosed in the manuscript, either in the Methods or Acknowledgments section.
  • The disclosure must specify the tool(s) used, including version numbers, the purpose of use, and a clear explanation of how the tool contributed to the manuscript.

Permitted Uses

AI tools may be used in the following areas, provided proper disclosure is ensured:

  1. Language Editing and Readability: To improve grammar, clarity, spelling, or stylistic quality, without altering scientific content.
  2. Idea Generation and Research Planning: As a support tool in refining research questions or drafting outlines.
  3. Coding and Statistical Assistance: In generating code or analyzing data, with full methodological responsibility retained by the authors.
  4. Organizing Literature: For structuring existing literature, while final interpretation and synthesis remain the author’s responsibility.

Prohibited or Restricted Uses

  1. Full Content Generation: AI must not be used to write core manuscript sections such as Abstract, Introduction, Results, or Discussion in full.
  2. Result Creation or Interpretation: AI cannot be used to generate or analyze original research data.
  3. Citation Fabrication: The use of AI to create false, unverifiable, or non-existent references is strictly prohibited.
  4. Argument and Theory Development: Scientific claims, arguments, and theoretical contributions must be developed independently by the authors.

Violations and Consequences

  • Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI may lead to desk rejection, post-publication correction, or article retraction.
  • Repeated violations may result in submission bans for authors.

Editorial Use of GenAI Tools

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

  • Editors must not upload unpublished manuscripts or confidential content to AI tools.
  • Protection of author data, intellectual property, and manuscript integrity is a fundamental editorial responsibility.

Use in Editorial Workflow

  • AI tools may only be used in editorial tasks (e.g., technical checks, reviewer matching) with prior approval from journal management.
  • Any such usage must be transparent and in compliance with journal guidelines.

Reviewing Author Disclosures

  • Editors must review AI use statements carefully and may request clarification or supporting evidence.
  • In case of suspected misuse, editors are advised to contact the authors for explanation and refer unresolved cases to the Editor-in-Chief.

Reviewer Use of GenAI Tools

Confidentiality and Ethics

  • Reviewers must not upload any part of a manuscript under review to GenAI platforms.
  • Review must be conducted based on the reviewer’s own expertise and without algorithmic generation.

Reporting Suspicious AI Use

  • Reviewers are encouraged to flag suspected undeclared AI-generated content, based on objective criteria.
  • Such concerns must be reported confidentially to the editorial team.

Use of AI in Visuals, Tables, and Graphics

Disclosure

  • If GenAI tools are used to generate any figures, illustrations, diagrams, or tables, the following must be stated in the figure legend or caption:
    “This image/graphic was generated using [AI Tool Name, Version], for [Purpose].”

Permitted Uses

  1. Explanatory Visuals: Visualizing conceptual models, mechanisms, or theoretical frameworks.
  2. Data Visualization: Presenting the author’s own research data in charts or diagrams.
  3. Educational Illustrations: Creating supportive images to explain complex ideas or procedures.

Author Responsibility

  • Scientific accuracy and integrity of all AI-generated visuals lie solely with the author.
  • Misleading, fabricated, or unverifiable visuals are subject to correction or retraction.