Abstract
In the last 3 years, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, etc.) have become widely used in academic settings and scientific publishing worldwide. In their international survey of attitudes and perceptions of medical researchers toward the use of artificial intelligence chatbots in the scientific process, Medical Acupuncture editorial board member Jeremy Y. Ng and colleagues surveyed researchers on their familiarity and use of AI chatbots and found that 44.5% of respondents reported use of chatbots in the scientific research process. 1
The use of AI chatbot language models in the scientific writing process has multiple potential benefits: (a) it can increase accessibility for researchers not proficient in English to publish in Western journals, (b) it can increase efficiency in drafting articles and grant applications, and (c) it can enhance writing structure and clarity. Conversely, use of AI chatbots in scientific writing comes with serious risks. Plagiarism is always a risk when using AI. All content AI chatbots collect was previously published online; therefore, extra attention is needed to check references and ensure proper acknowledgment. Misinformation is also a risk. AI is not adapted to critically evaluate the references it collects, and it might be collecting marketing content that is not peer reviewed by experts in the topic. Transparency is a concern; if AI is used in the writing process, who really did the work?
The widespread use of AI in publishing has prompted an urgent need for clear policies on disclosure of AI use. The purpose of this editorial is to explain Medical Acupuncture’s AI policy and to explore other major publishers and major medical organizations AI policies.
AI GENERATED versus AI ASSISTED
It’s important to differentiate between AI-generated and AI-assisted in the writing process. Different publishers and journals have slightly different interpretations of definitions and disclosures for AI-generated and AI-assisted use. Authors should refer to the editorial guidelines on AI disclosure prior to submitting an article to a journal.
AI-generated is when AI autonomously generates text and references without human intervention. AI-generated full-text articles that are fabricated without human intervention are fraudulent.
AI-assisted is when researchers leverage AI tools to support their writing tasks. This might include generating preliminary outlines or drafts, enhancing sentence structures, or suggesting language improvements. Human authors retain full responsibility by critically reviewing and revising the content AI collects.
AI POLICIES IN SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING
In June 2025, Jin-Hong Yoo, editor in chief of the Journal of Korean Medical Science, published a comprehensive report titled “Defining the Boundaries of AI Use in Scientific Writing: A Comparative Review of Editorial Policies.” 2 The review provides a detailed overview of AI policies of well-known medical journals, including; JAMA, NEJM, Lancet, Nature, Science, BMJ, and major academic organizations for editors and publishers including; Committee on Publication Ethics, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, and the World Association of Medical Editors. All major academic organizations and journals have clear guidelines for disclosing use of AI, and all have firmly stated that AI do not meet the criteria for authorship and cannot be recognized as authors because AI cannot assume legal or ethical responsibility for the work. Yoo explains, “While AI contributions must be transparently disclosed, final accountability must rest with human authors.”
Early this year, Mary Ann Liebert Publishing was acquired by SAGE Publishing. As a result of the acquisition, Medical Acupuncture is now following SAGE editorial policies. Though SAGE was not included in Yoo’s report, SAGE has detailed guidelines for authors to follow when disclosing use of AI that align with major medical journals and organizations. Authors submitting to Medical Acupuncture must disclose use of AI to meet the requirements of SAGE policy. The content below was pulled directly from the SAGE Editorial Policies page on AI. https://www.sagepub.com/journals/editorial-policies/artificial-intelligence-policy
SAGE AI-ASSISTED POLICY
We recognize that AI-assisted writing has become more common as the technology becomes more accessible. AI tools that make suggestions to improve or enhance your own work, such as tools to improve language, grammar, or structure, are considered assistive AI tools and do not require disclosure by authors or reviewers. However, authors are responsible for ensuring their submission is accurate and meets the standards for rigorous scholarship.
SAGE AI-GENERATED POLICY
The use of AI tools that can produce content, such as generating references, text, images, or any other form of content, must be disclosed when used by authors or reviewers. Authors should cite original sources, rather than generative AI tools, as primary sources within the references. If your submission was primarily or partially generated using AI, this must be disclosed upon submission so the editorial team can evaluate the content generated.
Authors are required to follow Sage guidelines, and in particular to:
Clearly indicate the use of language models in the article, including which model was used and for what purpose. Please use the methods or acknowledgements section, as appropriate. Verify the accuracy, validity, and appropriateness of the content and any citations generated by language models and correct any errors, biases, or inconsistencies. Be conscious of the potential for plagiarism where the larger language model (LLM) may have reproduced substantial text from other sources. Check the original sources to be sure you are not plagiarizing someone else’s work. Be conscious of the potential for fabrication where the LLM may have generated false content, including getting facts wrong or generating citations that don’t exist. Ensure you have verified all claims in your article prior to submission. Please note that AI bots such as ChatGPT should not be listed as an author on your submission.
AI comes with controversy, but it’s here to stay. As we navigate the use of AI as a tool in the scientific writing process, publishers, editors, reviewers, and authors must keep updated on AI disclosure guidelines as they adapt and change as new AI tools are developed.