When a researcher is invited to review a manuscript, the manuscript and all materials related to the peer-review process must be treated as strictly confidential. Reviewers must not upload, submit, or otherwise share the manuscript or any part of it, including text, tables, figures, data, or other unpublished content, with generative AI or AI-assisted tools. Such use may compromise the confidentiality and intellectual property rights of the authors and, where personally identifiable information is included, may also create data privacy risks.

Reviewers are responsible for conducting their own independent scientific assessment and judgment. Generative AI and AI-assisted tools must not replace the reviewer’s critical evaluation, expert judgment, or responsibility for the review. Reviewers remain fully responsible and accountable for the accuracy, fairness, and content of their review reports.

AI tools may be used only in a limited and supportive capacity, for example, to improve the language or structure of a review report prepared by the reviewer or to support a background literature search, provided that no confidential or unpublished manuscript content is disclosed and that appropriate human control and oversight are maintained.

When AI tools are used to support the preparation of a review report, reviewers should use only private AI tools. A private AI tool is one that does not retain, reuse, share, or use submitted content for training or other purposes beyond providing the requested service. Reviewers should verify the applicable privacy policy and terms of service before using an AI tool and should give preference to institutionally approved, enterprise, or locally hosted tools where available.

Where AI tools are used to improve the language or structure of a review report, reviewers should disclose the name of the tool or service and the purpose of its use in the review report. Routine spelling, grammar, and punctuation checks do not require disclosure. Any AI-assisted content must be carefully reviewed and edited by the reviewer, who remains fully responsible for the final report and its scientific judgments.

Reviewers must also maintain the confidentiality of their review reports and all other communications related to the peer-review process. Review reports, editorial communications, and confidential information obtained through peer review must not be shared with third parties or used for personal or professional advantage.