Generative AI Policies

Milestone Research Publications & Journals adopts a comprehensive Generative AI Policy to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI technologies in scholarly publishing. The policy applies to authors, reviewers, and editorial staff and emphasizes disclosure, transparency, and accountability in manuscript preparation. Authors must report any use of AI in drafting text, analyzing data, or creating figures, while remaining fully responsible for the integrity and accuracy of their work. Reviewers are prohibited from using AI to generate review reports to preserve expert judgment and confidentiality. Editorial staff oversee policy enforcement, provide guidance, and monitor compliance in alignment with STM Association recommendations. The policy also outlines submission procedures, monitoring mechanisms, and consequences of non-compliance, reinforcing Milestone’s commitment to academic integrity and high-quality publications.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for the ethical and transparent use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manuscript preparation, peer review, and editorial processes within Milestone Research Publications & Journals. It aims to:

Ensure academic integrity and transparency.
Uphold the quality and credibility of scholarly communication.
Provide clear directives for authors, reviewers, and editorial staff.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All authors submitting manuscripts to Milestone journals.
All reviewers participating in the peer review process.
Editorial staff involved in manuscript handling and decision-making.

3. Definitions

Generative AI: AI systems capable of generating text, images, or other content based on input data, such as OpenAI's GPT models or Google's Bard.
Manuscript Preparation: The process of drafting, revising, and finalizing a manuscript for submission.
Peer Review: The evaluation of a manuscript by experts in the field to assess its quality and validity.

4. Guidelines for Authors

Disclosure: Authors must disclose any use of Generative AI in manuscript preparation. This includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated text, data analysis, or figure creation.
Transparency: Authors should specify the extent and nature of AI assistance, including the specific tasks performed by AI tools.
Ethical Use: AI-generated content must not misrepresent data, fabricate results, or plagiarize existing work. All AI-generated content should be original and appropriately cited.
Accountability: Authors remain fully responsible for the content and accuracy of their manuscripts, regardless of AI assistance.

5. Guidelines for Reviewers

Prohibition of AI Use: Reviewers are prohibited from using Generative AI to draft or assist in writing review reports. This ensures that reviews reflect the reviewer’s expertise and judgment.
Ethical Evaluation: Reviewers should assess manuscripts for ethical considerations, including the appropriate use of AI in research and manuscript preparation.
Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript and any AI-generated content within it.

6. Editorial Oversight

Policy Enforcement: The editorial team will monitor compliance with this policy and take appropriate action in cases of non-compliance.
Training: Editorial staff will receive training on the ethical use of AI in scholarly publishing and how to assess AI-generated content.
Updates: This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to align with technological advancements and ethical standards in AI use.

7. Compliance with Industry Standards

This policy aligns with the recommendations set forth by the STM Association in their "Recommendations for a Classification of AI Use in Academic Manuscript Preparation" STM Association. These guidelines provide a framework for publishers to define, evaluate, and guide the transparent use of AI in manuscript preparation.

8. Implementation

Submission Process: Authors will be required to complete a disclosure form detailing any use of Generative AI in their manuscript preparation.
Review Process: Reviewers will be reminded of the prohibition against using AI in drafting review reports.
Monitoring: The editorial team will periodically audit manuscripts to ensure compliance with this policy.

9. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in:

Rejection of the manuscript.
Withdrawal of the manuscript from the review process.
Reporting to relevant academic or professional bodies.

10. Contact Information

For questions or clarifications regarding this policy, please contact:

Email: admin@milestonejournals.com

This policy is effective as of August, 2025, and supersedes any previous policies regarding the use of AI in manuscript preparation and review.

Editor-in-chief

Milestone Transactions on Medical Technometrics