Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure Policy

  1. Introduction

The Pakistan Journal of Pathology (Pak J Pathol) acknowledges the expanding role of AI-assisted technologies in research and manuscript preparation. This policy establishes author guidelines for the ethical and transparent disclosure of AI use in submitted work.

  1. AI-Assisted Technologies Disclosure

Upon submission, authors must declare any use of AI-assisted technologies—such as Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbots, image generators, or related tools—in the development of their manuscript. 

  1. Author Responsibility

Authors who incorporate AI-assisted tools in the preparation of their manuscripts bear full responsibility for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the content. As artificial intelligence systems, including chatbots such as ChatGPT, lack the capacity for accountability, they do not meet the criteria for authorship and therefore should not be listed as authors.

  1. Submission Requirements

Authors utilizing AI-assisted technologies are expected to include a detailed account of their use in both the cover letter and the submitted manuscript. This disclosure should clearly outline the specific functions performed by AI during the research and the preparation of the manuscript.

  1. Prohibition of AI as an Author

Artificial intelligence (AI), including chatbots and AI-assisted technologies, should not be designated as authors or co-authors in medical publications. Authorship entails accountability for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the work—responsibilities that AI systems are not capable of fulfilling.

  1. Review and Editing by Humans

Authors who employ artificial intelligence (AI) in their work must undertake a thorough review and meticulous editing of the AI-generated content. Despite the capabilities of AI technologies, they may produce information that appears authoritative yet is potentially inaccurate, incomplete, or biased. Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the content remains the responsibility of the human authors.

  1. Plagiarism Check and Attribution

Authors must affirm that their manuscript is free from plagiarism, encompassing both textual content and images generated by artificial intelligence. It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure accurate attribution for all quoted or referenced material, including content produced with the assistance of AI technologies, by providing complete and appropriate citations.

  1. Attribution in Submitted Material

Appropriate attribution must be given for all content, including text and images, generated by AI-assisted technologies. Authors should ensure that readers can clearly distinguish between human-generated content and content produced with AI assistance.

  1. Compliance and Accountability

Authors are expected to comply with this policy to ensure the ethical use of AI in research and manuscript preparation. Non-compliance may result in editorial actions, including but not limited to rejection of the submission.

  1. Review and Updates

This policy is subject to periodic review to align with evolving ethical standards and technological advancements. Updates will be communicated, and authors are encouraged to stay informed about the latest requirements.