Chinese General Practice is committed to advancing academic progress in the field of general medicine and ensuring the scientific rigor, originality, and integrity of published content. In light of the increasing use of AI tools in academic writing, we hereby issue the following statement. This statement aims to clarify the acceptable scope of AI-generated content, regulate authors' use of such tools, prevent academic misconduct, and safeguard the authenticity and academic value of research outcomes, thereby providing a fair, impartial, and transparent academic platform for researchers.
1. Transparent Disclosure of AI Tool Usage
Authors who use AI tools during the writing process (including but not limited to data analysis, chart generation, language polishing, and literature recommendation) must disclose the name, version, and time of use of the AI tools in the manuscript—either after the main text, before the references, or in the methods section. Authors are responsible for reviewing AI-generated content to ensure that reviewers can fully assess the originality of the paper.
2. Scope and Limitations of AI Tool Use
The journal allows the use of AI tools under the following circumstances:
（1） Literature Search and Keyword Recommendation.AI tools may assist authors during topic selection and literature review for heuristic exploration. However, all referenced literature must be independently verified by the authors to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
（2）Statistical Analysis and Data Processing. AI tools may support statistical modeling and presentation of results during data analysis. Nevertheless, the original data must be collected by the authors, and the analysis results must be validated through other means to ensure scientific reliability.
（3）Language Polishing and Translation. AI tools may assist in improving language clarity and translation to enhance readability. However, authors must not adopt AI-generated content verbatim and must retain their individual or co-authored writing style.
（4）Chart Generation and Optimization. AI tools may help suggest appropriate chart formats or optimize graphical elements, but fabricated charts are strictly prohibited. All figures must accurately reflect the underlying data.
3. Prohibition on Using AI for Key Academic Work
AI tools must not be used to draft entire papers or key sections, particularly those involving research methodology, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Scientific contributions must be based on the authors’ original work, and AI-generated content must not replace academic or innovative analysis.
4. Measures for Handling Violations
To uphold academic integrity, in cases where there is suspected or excessive reliance on AI tools, the editorial office will utilize AI-detection tools and organize a review panel to evaluate the issues. If it is confirmed that AI tools were used without disclosure or were employed for key academic tasks, the manuscript will be rejected or retracted.
5. Future Development and Policy Adjustments
Given the rapid development of AI tools, the journal will update relevant policies and regulations as needed to address new technologies, emerging situations, and associated challenges, ensuring that publishing practices remain consistent with academic ethics. The journal will continue to monitor the application of AI tools in research and, in line with technological advancements and deepening understanding, will further refine this statement. The editorial office reserves the right to interpret and revise the provisions stated above.
Editorial Office of Chinese General Practice
March 21, 2025