Generative AI

At the Journal of Cutaneous Oncology (JoCO), we acknowledge the rapidly evolving landscape of technological advancements in scientific research and publication. In line with this, we recognize the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbots, and image generators, in various aspects of scholarly work.

In line with our dedication to preserving the integrity and quality of scientific discourse at the Journal of Cutaneous Oncology, we have established a policy for authors to disclose the utilization of AI-assisted technologies in their research and manuscript preparation. It is imperative that this disclosure is included explicitly in the Materials and Methods section of the submitted manuscript. This requirement applies to all forms of AI assistance, whether used for writing, data collection, analysis, or figure generation.

For example, if AI tools were used for writing assistance or to aid in the preparation of figures, this should be clearly described in the Materials and Methods section. The exact nature of the AI’s role, its capabilities, and the scope of its use must be transparently conveyed. The aim is to provide readers, reviewers, and fellow researchers with a clear understanding of how AI-assisted technologies contributed to the research and to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the scientific work presented..

We emphasize that AI tools, including chatbots like ChatGPT, are not to be credited as authors or co-authors. The responsibilities of authorship, including accountability for the work’s accuracy, integrity, and originality, rest solely with human contributors. AI technologies, while useful, cannot fulfill these essential criteria.

Authors are tasked with the critical responsibility of thoroughly reviewing and validating the outputs generated by AI tools. These advanced technologies are indeed capable of creating content that possesses not only compelling narratives but also the verisimilitude of authority. Despite their capabilities, it’s important to acknowledge that these tools may still produce erroneous, incomplete, or biased information. Therefore, it falls upon the authors to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and authenticity of their contributions, which includes proper attribution and the avoidance of plagiarism, even when utilizing AI-generated text and images.

At JoCO, we embrace the potential of these technologies to enhance scientific discovery and communication. We believe that when used judiciously and ethically, AI can contribute to faster insights and advancements in the field of cutaneous oncology. However, the onus of ensuring ethical and responsible use of these tools lies with our authors, who must uphold the highest standards of scholarly integrity.

In the spirit of transparency and adherence to our policy on the disclosure of AI-assisted technologies, we wish to explicitly acknowledge the use of generative AI in the drafting of the above statement. The Journal of Cutaneous Oncology utilized an advanced language model, specifically designed for generating text, to assist in composing the statement on the use of AI in scientific submissions.

This utilization aligns with our ethos of embracing evolving technologies to enhance scientific communication. It also serves as a practical example of how AI can be leveraged responsibly in the realm of academic publishing. The AI tool was used to generate initial drafts and provide suggestions on structure and content, which were then critically reviewed, refined, and verified by human editors to ensure accuracy, relevance, and adherence to the high standards of the Journal.

By disclosing this use of AI, we aim to demonstrate the practical applications of such technology in a scholarly context, while also underscoring the human oversight that is integral to maintaining the quality and integrity of our publications. This approach reflects our commitment to pioneering in the responsible use of AI technologies in academic publishing, setting a standard for transparency and ethical use of AI in the creation of scientific content.