Publisher Policies on AI: Elsevier

1. Scope of the Policy
• This policy only applies to the use of AI in the writing process.
• It does not cover AI used in research methodology, data analysis, or experiments.

2. Permitted AI Use

Authors may use generative AI tools for:
• Language editing: Improving grammar, style, and clarity.

However:
• All AI-generated outputs must be reviewed and edited by the author.
• Authors must not rely solely on AI due to risks of factual errors, bias, or omissions.

3. Author Accountability
• Authors are fully responsible for all content in their manuscript—whether written by them or assisted by AI.
• AI-generated material must be checked for accuracy, integrity, and completeness.

4. Mandatory Disclosure
• Any use of AI tools must be declared in the manuscript at submission.
• A disclosure statement will be included in the published article.
• This promotes transparency and ensures compliance with AI tool terms of use.

5. AI and Authorship
• AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
• AI cannot be cited as a source of authorship.

To qualify as an author, a person must:
• Take full responsibility for the work’s content.
• Approve the final version of the manuscript.
• Consent to submission.
• Be able to respond to questions about the integrity of the work.

6. Ethics & Legal Considerations
• Manuscripts must be original and free from copyright infringement.
• All authors must meet authorship criteria outlined by Elsevier.
• Authors should consult the full Ethics in Publishing policy before submission.

Elsevier permits the limited use of AI tools in academic publishing, specifically for language and readability improvements only. AI must not be used to generate scientific content or replace human judgment in research or writing.
Authors must clearly state any use of AI in the manuscript, and this will be noted in the published article. However, AI tools cannot be listed as authors, as authorship requires responsibility, consent, and the ability to address any content issues.
All submissions must comply with ethical standards, respect third-party rights, and adhere to Elsevier’s broader publishing policies.

For more information, visit:
Elsevier’s Generative AI Policies for Journals

• Why has Elsevier decided that AI and AI-assisted tools cannot be credited as an author on published work?
• Does this policy cover tools that are used to check grammar and spelling, and reference managers that enable authors to collect and organize references to scholarly articles?
• Does this policy refer to AI and AI-assisted tools that are used in the research process, for example to process data?
• In which section of the manuscript should authors disclose the use of AI-assisted technologies, and where will this statement appear in the article if it is accepted for publication?
• Can authors use AI-assisted tools to create or alter images that they publish in their work?