The Bombay Hospital Journal (BHJ) recognizes the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and AI-assisted technologies in medical research and scholarly publishing. BHJ supports the responsible and transparent use of such technologies while maintaining scientific integrity, accuracy, confidentiality, and accountability.

1. Use of GenAI by Authors

Authors may use GenAI tools to assist with language editing, grammar, spelling, formatting, or other appropriate aspects of manuscript preparation.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and scientific validity of all content submitted to BHJ.

Where GenAI has been used substantively to generate or modify manuscript content, including text, tables, figures, images, data analysis, or interpretation, such use should be transparently disclosed in the manuscript, preferably in the Acknowledgements or an appropriate disclosure statement.

GenAI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors, as they cannot take responsibility for the content, accuracy, integrity, or ethical aspects of a publication.

Authors must carefully review and verify all AI-assisted content. AI-generated information, including references and citations, should be independently checked for accuracy and authenticity.

The use of GenAI must not result in plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, inappropriate attribution, breach of confidentiality, or infringement of copyright.

Routine use of basic spelling, grammar, or language-editing tools generally does not require disclosure unless the tool has substantively generated or altered the intellectual content of the manuscript.

2. Use of GenAI by Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and unpublished material received for review.

Reviewers should not upload manuscripts, unpublished data, figures, tables, or other confidential material to publicly accessible GenAI tools.

GenAI tools should not be used to generate or formulate peer-review reports or recommendations. Reviewers remain personally responsible for the content and judgment expressed in their reviews.

3. Use of GenAI by Editors

Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and unpublished research material.

Confidential manuscript content should not be entered into publicly accessible GenAI tools.

Any use of AI-assisted tools within the editorial process must be undertaken with appropriate human oversight and verification. Editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the journal’s editors.

4. AI-Generated Images and Content

Authors should clearly disclose the use of GenAI in creating or substantially modifying images, illustrations, or other content submitted for publication.

AI-generated images must not be used to fabricate or manipulate scientific findings or clinical evidence.

5. Human Responsibility and Accountability

GenAI tools may assist scholarly communication but cannot replace human scientific judgment, authorship, peer review, or editorial responsibility.

Authors, reviewers, and editors remain accountable for their respective contributions and decisions.

BHJ may periodically update this policy as standards and best practices concerning the responsible use of artificial intelligence in scholarly publishing evolve.