Policy on the Use of AI

Primary Care Science and Practice (PCSP) adopts ICMJE guidelines regarding the use of AI. The following are three key policies that authors must adhere to:

• General Use and Authorship: Generative AI (such as language models or chatbots) may be used to improve readability and language accuracy. AI or AI-assisted technologies cannot be listed as authors.
• Generative AI Images: Authors are prohibited from using generative AI to create or alter images in the manuscript. Exceptions apply if AI is an integral part of the research method itself ; if so, its use must be explained in detail in the Methodology section.
• Mandatory Declaration of AI Use: Authors must disclose (declare) the use of AI that assisted the writing process. This declaration must be included in the Methodology (or Acknowledgments) section and must include specific details: model name, version, AI tool manufacturer, and an explanation of how the tool was used. Authors must ensure no AI-generated plagiarism exists, and AI must not be cited as a primary source.