For Authors

1. Use of Generative AI in Manuscript Preparation

Authors may use Generative AI and AI-assisted tools to support manuscript preparation, including grammar and language improvement, readability, translation, content organization, coding assistance, literature exploration, and preparation of summaries or research ideas.

However, Generative AI must not replace the authors' own scientific reasoning, interpretation of results, critical evaluation, originality, or intellectual contribution.

Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and scientific validity of their submitted manuscript.

2. Responsible and Secure Use of AI Tools

Authors should carefully review the privacy policies, terms of service, licensing conditions, data-retention practices, and intellectual property provisions of any AI tool before using it.

Authors should avoid submitting unpublished manuscripts, confidential datasets, proprietary information, personal data, or other sensitive research materials to AI platforms that may retain, reuse, disclose, or use submitted information for model training without appropriate safeguards.

Human oversight must be maintained throughout the manuscript preparation process.

3. Disclosure of Generative AI Use

Transparency is an essential component of responsible scholarly communication.

Authors must disclose any substantive use of Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in manuscript preparation in a separate section entitled:

Where applicable, the declaration should identify:

1. The name of the AI tool or system;
2. The developer or provider, where applicable;
3. The purpose and nature of its use; and
4. Confirmation that the manuscript and AI-assisted content were reviewed, verified, revised, and approved by the authors.

4. Authorship and Accountability

Generative AI systems, chatbots, or other AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to JTAF.

Authorship is limited to individuals who meet the journal's authorship requirements and who can take responsibility for the integrity and scholarly content of the work.

Human authors remain responsible for:

• The integrity and originality of the research;
• The accuracy of the manuscript;
• Approval of the final version;
• Responses to editorial and reviewer comments;
• Compliance with publication ethics; and
• Copyright, licensing, and other legal responsibilities.

5. AI-Generated Figures, Images, and Visual Materials

AI-generated images and visual materials may be used for explanatory, illustrative, or conceptual purposes when they do not represent original scientific findings or experimental evidence.

Authors must not use Generative AI to fabricate, manipulate, enhance, or alter research data, experimental results, microscopy images, analytical results, photographs used as scientific evidence, or any other material in a manner that could misrepresent the underlying research.

Where Generative AI is used to produce explanatory figures, graphical abstracts, conceptual frameworks, flowcharts, or other illustrative materials, authors should disclose the AI tool used in the figure caption where appropriate and in the relevant AI declaration.

For Reviewers

1. Confidentiality

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and materials received during the peer-review process.

Reviewers should not upload unpublished manuscripts, confidential research data, figures, tables, supplementary materials, or other confidential information into Generative AI systems unless the confidentiality and data-protection conditions of the service are demonstrably appropriate and such use is permitted by JTAF.

2. Use of AI in Peer Review

AI tools may be used by reviewers for limited supportive purposes, such as language assistance or organizational support, provided that confidentiality, research integrity, and the journal's peer-review requirements are fully maintained.

AI must not replace the reviewer's independent scholarly assessment, critical analysis, expertise, or professional judgment.

Reviewers remain personally responsible for the content and recommendations contained in their review reports.

For Editors

Editors are responsible for maintaining the integrity, fairness, confidentiality, transparency, and quality of the editorial and peer-review process.

Editors should not upload confidential manuscripts, unpublished research materials, reviewer reports, or other sensitive editorial information into AI systems that cannot provide appropriate confidentiality and data-protection safeguards.

Permitted Supportive Uses

Subject to appropriate safeguards, AI tools may support editorial workflows, including:

1. Language and readability assistance;
2. Technical manuscript screening;
3. Metadata verification;
4. Similarity or plagiarism screening support;
5. Reviewer identification and matching;
6. Administrative workflow assistance; and
7. Other routine tasks that do not replace editorial judgment.

Research Integrity and Ethical Responsibility

The use of Generative AI does not reduce or transfer the ethical, scientific, or legal responsibilities of authors, reviewers, or editors.

Any use of AI that results in plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, inappropriate image manipulation, fabricated references, copyright infringement, disclosure of confidential information, or other forms of research or publication misconduct may be subject to editorial investigation and appropriate action under JTAF's publication ethics policies.

Policy Updates

Generative AI technologies and their applications in scholarly communication continue to evolve rapidly. JTAF will periodically review and update this policy to reflect developments in AI technology, research integrity, publication ethics, and internationally recognized standards and recommendations.

Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to consult the latest version of this policy before participating in the JTAF publication process.

References and Guidance

This policy has been developed with consideration of internationally recognized guidance and recommendations concerning the responsible use of Generative AI in scholarly publishing, including guidance from:

• STM – Recommendations for a Classification of AI Use in Academic Manuscript Preparation.
• Elsevier – The Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Writing and Peer Review.
• World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) – Recommendations and guidance concerning Chatbots, Generative AI, and Scholarly Manuscripts.