Policy on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Reviewers

The Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (JEPH) recognizes the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies to support scholarly activities. However, peer review requires independent expert judgment, confidentiality, and accountability. Therefore, reviewers must comply with the following policy when using AI tools during the peer-review process.

1. Confidentiality and Protection of Manuscripts

Reviewers must not upload, share, or otherwise disclose submitted manuscripts, unpublished data, figures, tables, supplementary materials, reviewer reports, or confidential editorial correspondence to generative AI tools or external services that are not explicitly authorized by the journal. This restriction is intended to protect authors' confidentiality, intellectual property, research data, and unpublished findings.

2. Permitted Use of AI Tools

Reviewers may use AI-assisted tools for limited, non-confidential purposes, such as improving the grammar or clarity of their own review comments, provided that such use complies with JEPH policies and does not involve disclosing confidential manuscript content. AI tools must not replace the reviewer's independent scientific judgment, critical assessment, or professional expertise.

3. Prohibited Use of AI Tools

Reviewers shall not use generative AI to:

- Evaluate the scientific validity, originality, methodological rigor, or ethical acceptability of a manuscript in place of their own expert assessment.
- Generate substantive reviewer reports or editorial recommendations without independent critical evaluation and verification
- Upload confidential manuscript content or related materials to unauthorized AI platforms
- Generate fabricated evidence, references, quotations, or unsupported allegations about the manuscript or its authors
- Make publication recommendations solely on the basis of AI-generated outputs.
 

4. Human Accountability and Independent Judgment

Reviewers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, fairness, originality, and professionalism of their review reports, regardless of whether permitted AI-assisted tools are used. All comments and recommendations must reflect the reviewer's own expert judgment and must be verified for accuracy, relevance, and scientific validity.

5. Transparency and Disclosure

Reviewers must disclose their use of AI tools when required by JEPH policy or when such use materially contributes to the preparation or evaluation of the review. Disclosures should identify the tool used and describe its purpose. Reviewers must not claim that AI-generated assessments or content represent independent expert analysis without appropriate verification.

6. Compliance and Editorial Oversight

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial management team are responsible for implementing this policy and addressing suspected violations. Any use of AI that compromises confidentiality, introduces bias, misrepresents scientific evidence, or undermines the integrity of peer review may result in the review being discontinued and other appropriate action under JEPH editorial policies.

This policy shall be reviewed periodically to reflect developments in AI technology, publication ethics, and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other recognized scholarly publishing organizations.