ACS Publisher (AI) Policy

1. Purpose

ACS Publisher recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), can assist researchers in manuscript preparation. This policy establishes ethical standards for the responsible use of AI while preserving research integrity, transparency, originality, and accountability.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Authors
  • Editors
  • Peer Reviewers
  • Editorial Board Members
  • Journal Staff

3. General Principles

  • AI tools may be used only as assistive technologies.
  • AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
  • Human authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of all submitted work.
  • AI-generated content must never replace scientific judgment or critical analysis.
  • All substantial use of AI must be transparently disclosed.

4. Acceptable Use by Authors

Authors may use AI tools for:

  • Grammar and language improvement
  • Spelling and punctuation correction
  • Translation
  • Improving readability
  • Formatting assistance
  • Programming or coding support
  • Literature organization
  • Brainstorming research ideas

Such use is acceptable provided that:

  • Authors carefully verify all outputs.
  • No fabricated information is included.
  • Scientific conclusions remain entirely the responsibility of the authors.

5. Unacceptable Use

Authors must not use AI to:

  • Generate or fabricate research data.
  • Manipulate experimental results.
  • Create false images, figures, or graphs.
  • Invent references, citations, or DOIs.
  • Generate fake peer reviews.
  • Misrepresent AI-generated content as original human scholarship.
  • Produce manuscripts without substantial human intellectual contribution.
  • Violate copyright or confidentiality.

Any confirmed misuse may result in rejection, retraction, notification of institutions, or other editorial actions.

6. AI Authorship

Artificial Intelligence tools (including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, DeepSeek, or similar systems) do not meet the requirements for authorship.

AI systems:

  • Cannot approve manuscripts.
  • Cannot accept responsibility.
  • Cannot disclose conflicts of interest.
  • Cannot hold copyright.

Only humans who satisfy the journal's authorship criteria may be listed as authors.

7. Mandatory AI Disclosure

Authors must disclose any substantial use of AI in the manuscript.

The disclosure should include:

  • Name of the AI tool
  • Version (if available)
  • Purpose of use
  • Sections where AI was used

Disclosure should appear before the References under a heading titled:

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Example Statement

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to improve language and grammar. The authors reviewed, edited, and verified all AI-generated content and accept full responsibility for the final manuscript.

If no AI was used, authors may state:

The authors declare that no Artificial Intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.

8. AI and Images

Unless explicitly permitted by the journal:

  • AI-generated figures are not acceptable as primary scientific evidence.
  • AI-enhanced research images must be disclosed.
  • Any image modification must preserve scientific accuracy.
  • Editors may request original image files.

9. AI and References

Authors are responsible for verifying every reference.

AI-generated references that are:

  • fabricated,
  • incorrect,
  • unverifiable,
  • or misleading

constitute publication misconduct.

10. Editors

Editors may:

  • Use AI only for administrative assistance.
  • Not rely on AI to make editorial decisions.
  • Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Ensure AI use complies with journal ethics.

Editors remain solely responsible for editorial decisions.

11. Peer Reviewers

Reviewers must not:

  • Upload confidential manuscripts into public AI systems.
  • Use AI to generate review reports without their own expert assessment.

Minor language assistance may be acceptable provided manuscript confidentiality is fully protected.

12. Confidentiality

Authors, editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not upload unpublished manuscripts, reviewer comments, supplementary files, or confidential editorial communications into public AI platforms unless explicit permission has been granted and confidentiality is preserved.

13. Detection and Investigation

ACS Publisher may use editorial assessment and integrity screening tools to evaluate manuscripts for undisclosed or inappropriate AI use.

When concerns arise, the journal may:

  • request clarification,
  • request original files,
  • request raw data,
  • seek institutional explanations,
  • reject the manuscript,
  • publish corrections,
  • retract published articles where necessary.

14. Research Integrity

Authors remain responsible for:

  • originality,
  • ethical approvals,
  • data integrity,
  • statistical accuracy,
  • plagiarism,
  • proper citation,
  • copyright compliance,
  • scientific conclusions.

Use of AI does not reduce these responsibilities.

15. Policy Updates

As AI technologies continue to evolve, ACS Publisher reserves the right to revise this policy. Authors should consult the latest version before manuscript submission.

ACS Publisher Statement

ACS Publisher supports the responsible and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence in scholarly publishing. AI should enhance scientific communication but must never replace human expertise, ethical responsibility, originality, or scientific integrity.