Generative AI Policy

 

The Azerbaijan Pharmaceutical and Pharmacotherapy Journal (APPJ) recognizes the growing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in academic research and scholarly writing. While AI tools can assist researchers in improving language, organization, and efficiency, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical compliance of all submitted work.

 

Acceptable Use of Generative AI

Authors may use Generative AI tools to assist with:

• Language editing and grammar improvement.
• Improving readability and manuscript structure.
• Formatting text for clarity and consistency.
• Translation support where appropriate.
• Generating outlines or brainstorming research ideas.

 

Any use of AI must be carefully reviewed and verified by the authors before manuscript submission.

 

Author Responsibility

Authors are fully responsible for all content contained within their manuscripts, regardless of whether AI tools were used during preparation.

 

Authors must ensure that:

• All information presented is accurate and verifiable.
• Scientific interpretations and conclusions are generated and validated by human researchers.
• AI-generated content does not contain fabricated data, misleading information, or inaccurate references.
• The manuscript complies with the journal’s ethical and publication standards.

 

The use of AI does not transfer responsibility from the authors to the software provider.

 

Disclosure Requirements

If Generative AI tools have been used in the preparation of a manuscript, authors should disclose such use in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgments or a dedicated disclosure statement.

 

The disclosure should clearly identify:

• The name of the AI tool used.
• The purpose for which the tool was used.
• The extent of AI assistance in manuscript preparation.

 

Failure to disclose significant use of AI tools may be considered a breach of publication ethics.

 

AI Cannot Be Listed as an Author

Generative AI systems cannot be credited as authors or co-authors of a manuscript.

 

AI tools:

• Cannot take responsibility for published work.
• Cannot approve manuscript submissions.
• Cannot manage conflicts of interest.
• Cannot fulfill authorship requirements.

 

Only individuals who meet recognized authorship criteria may be listed as authors.

 

Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

The following uses of Generative AI are strictly prohibited:

• Fabrication or falsification of research data.
• Generation of fake results, experiments, or observations.
• Creation of fictitious references or citations.
• Manipulation of images, figures, or data in a misleading manner.
• Production of fraudulent peer-review reports.
• Submission of entirely AI-generated manuscripts without substantial human contribution and oversight.

 

Any manuscript found to contain such practices may be rejected or retracted.

 

AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Graphics

Authors must clearly disclose the use of AI tools in the creation or modification of images, figures, illustrations, graphical abstracts, or visual content.

 

Authors must ensure that:

• AI-generated visual content does not misrepresent scientific findings.
• All images accurately reflect the underlying research.
• Appropriate permissions and ethical standards are maintained.

 

The editorial office may request original files or supporting documentation for verification purposes.

 

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Authors should exercise caution when using AI platforms that process data through external servers.

 

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

• Confidential information is not disclosed to unauthorized third parties.
• Patient information and personal data remain protected.
• Institutional, clinical, and proprietary data are handled in accordance with applicable laws and ethical requirements.

 

APPJ assumes no responsibility for data shared with third-party AI services.

 

Editorial Use of AI

Editors and reviewers may use limited AI-assisted tools for administrative purposes such as language assessment, plagiarism screening, or technical evaluation.

 

However:

• Editorial decisions will always be made by qualified human editors.
• Peer-review reports must be prepared and assessed by human reviewers.
• Confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded to AI systems in ways that compromise confidentiality.

 

Compliance and Verification

The journal reserves the right to investigate the use of Generative AI in submitted or published manuscripts.

 

Authors may be asked to provide:

• Details regarding AI usage.
• Original drafts and supporting files.
• Documentation demonstrating human oversight and verification.

 

Failure to comply with such requests may result in manuscript rejection, correction, or retraction.

 

Policy Updates

As Generative AI technologies continue to evolve, the Azerbaijan Pharmaceutical and Pharmacotherapy Journal (APPJ) reserves the right to update this policy to reflect emerging best practices, ethical standards, and publishing requirements.