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IOP Science

Generative AI (including ChatGPT)

Considering the evolving capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), including large language models (LLMs) and AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, this policy outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of these tools by reviewers.

Why this policy matters

Generative AI tools can offer real benefits when used responsibly, such as improving clarity, readability and accessibility of peer review reports. They can help reviewers communicate feedback more effectively and overcome language barriers.

However, these tools are not infallible. They can produce misleading or fabricated content, lack accountability, and cannot guarantee confidentiality. Uploading manuscript material to GenAI platforms may expose sensitive data to third parties, breaching author rights and privacy laws. Misuse of AI in peer review risks damaging trust in the process and undermining research integrity.

This policy aims to balance these considerations, safeguarding confidentiality, accuracy, and fairness while allowing transparent use of AI for language improvement.

Acceptable use

Reviewers may use GenAI tools only to assist with improving the written quality of their peer review reports. This includes:

  • Checking grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting
  • Enhancing clarity, flow, and structure of the language
  • Translating a completed review from the reviewer’s first language into English

Reviewers should disclose any use of GenAI tools for language editing and translation. Reviewers (including co-reviewers) remain fully responsible for the contents of their reviews and for ensuring their accuracy, integrity, and originality.

Unacceptable use

Reviewers must not:

  • Upload any part of a manuscript under review, including text, figures, tables, supplementary files, or associated communications, to GenAI tools
  • Use Gen AI tools to analyse, summarise, interpret, or evaluate the manuscript or its scientific content
  • Use GenAI tools to generate references or citations
  • Use GenAI tools to write any portion of the review report beyond language refinement

If a reviewer misuses GenAI tools, we may disregard some or all of their review.

Reviewer responsibility

By accepting a review invitation, reviewers agree to:

  • Adhere to IOP Publishing’s ethical standards, including confidentiality, conflict of interest disclosure, and maintaining anonymity
  • Ensure that the manuscript under review is not shared with any third party, including GenAI tools
  • Take full responsibility for the content of their review, whether conducted individually or as part of a co-review

GenAI tools are not expert peers. They lack higher-level reasoning and critical thinking, are prone to generating false or misleading content (“hallucinations”), and cannot take responsibility for the material they produce. They also lack the legal personality to sign publishing agreements or licenses and cannot be held accountable for ethical compliance.