Cellular & Molecular Intelligence (CMI) recognizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and writing. However, to maintain the integrity of the scientific record, the use of AI must be governed by strict transparency, accountability, and human oversight.

While AI can be a valuable assistant, it cannot replace the intellectual rigor of a human researcher. Authors are subject to the following requirements:

• Mandatory Disclosure: Authors must explicitly disclose the use of AI tools, including large language models or AI-driven data analysis software, in the Methods or Acknowledgements section. This includes assistance with language editing, drafting, or data summarization.

• Human Accountability: AI tools cannot be listed as authors. The human authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical compliance of the entire manuscript.

• Verification: Because AI can produce “hallucinations” or biased outputs, authors must critically verify every AI-generated citation, data point, and statement against the original source material.

Generative artificial intelligence tools, including large language models, cannot be listed as authors, as they are unable to assume responsibility or accountability for the content of a manuscript.

Human authors remain solely responsible for verifying the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all content, including any portions generated or assisted by AI.

If AI tools are used during manuscript preparation, for example, for language editing, drafting assistance, data analysis, computational modeling, image analysis, or data summarization, their use must be clearly disclosed in the Methods, Acknowledgements, or another appropriate section of the manuscript.

The use of AI must support, not replace, the intellectual contribution, scientific judgment, and ethical responsibility of the authors.

To prevent the corruption of scientific data, the following practices are strictly forbidden:

• Data Fabrication: Using AI to generate synthetic datasets, simulate clinical results, or create representative images that do not exist in reality.

• Reference Manipulation: Generating fake or misleading citations.

• Peer Review Subversion: Using AI to bypass or manipulate the peer review process, including the generation of automated reviewer responses or fraudulent peer feedback.

The use of generative artificial intelligence or AI-assisted tools to create or modify figures is generally not permitted.

An exception may be made when AI tools are used as part of the research methodology, such as biomedical image analysis, computational imaging, or AI-assisted biological data interpretation. In such cases, authors must provide full transparency by clearly describing:

• The tool or model used

• Version details

• Relevant technical parameters

This information must be included in the Methods section.

AI-generated artwork, including graphical abstracts or illustrations, requires prior editorial approval, along with appropriate disclosure and attribution.

In line with the journal’s policy on transparency, authors must disclose the use of specialized digital tools in the Acknowledgements section where required.

If AI tools were used for language polishing, summarization, or drafting, they must be acknowledged, unless already detailed in the Methods section.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all AI-assisted content is accurate, original, ethically compliant, and properly disclosed. The use of AI does not reduce or replace author responsibility for the integrity of the submitted work.