When and how to disclose AI use in academic publishing: AMEE Guide No.192

Area of Science:

• Health professions education research
• Academic publishing
• Scholarly communication

Background:

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools are increasingly used in research and academic writing.
• Undisclosed GenAI use poses risks to research integrity, ethics, and transparency.
• There is a need for practical guidance on disclosing GenAI in scholarly publications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide researchers with practical guidance on disclosing GenAI use in scholarly writing.
• To propose a framework for ethical GenAI use and reporting in health professions education research.
• To address transparency in research production, internal and external disclosure, and peer review.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of key aspects of responsible GenAI use in publishing (authorship, verification, plagiarism, bias, data privacy, journal requirements).
• Discussion of internal and external disclosure of GenAI use.
• Highlighting journal-specific guidance and principles for effective disclosure.
• Consideration of GenAI use and disclosure in peer review.

Main Results:

• A framework for ethical GenAI use and reporting is proposed.
• Emphasis on candid descriptions of how GenAI shaped research and writing processes.
• Awareness of journal-specific guidance for disclosure is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Transparency in GenAI use is essential for maintaining research integrity.
• Scholars must provide clear descriptions of GenAI's role in their work.
• Further research is needed on evolving AI use and disclosure in publishing.