Declaration of Generate AI use

Declaration of Generate AI use

Canrea Journal: Food Technology, Nutrition, and Culinary Journal recognizes the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies (“AI Tools”) to support research and scientific writing. When used responsibly, these tools may help authors work more efficiently, synthesize complex literature, and improve clarity and readability.

At the same time, Canrea Journal upholds the principles of research integrity, transparency, and accountability that are expected from reputable international journals. Therefore, the use of AI Tools in all stages of the publication process must follow the policy below.

1. General Principles

AI Tools must not replace human scholarly work such as critical thinking, scientific judgment, and interpretation of results. Authors, reviewers, and editors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of any content they submit or approve. AI Tools cannot be listed or cited as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. Any use of AI Tools must be transparent and, when required, explicitly declared.

2. Use of AI Tools by Authors

2.1 Acceptable use (with declaration)

Authors may use AI Tools to support the preparation of their manuscript, for example to:

  • Improve grammar, spelling, style, and readability.

  • Help organize content or propose alternative formulations of sentences or paragraphs.

  • Help summarize existing literature or organize ideas, provided that all outputs are critically checked and rewritten by the authors.

In all such cases:

  • Authors must carefully review and verify the accuracy, completeness, and impartiality of AI-generated text, including any factual statements and references.

  • Authors must edit and adapt the content so that the manuscript reflects their own intellectual contribution, interpretation, and conclusions.

  • Authors must ensure that the use of AI Tools does not violate data privacy, confidentiality, or intellectual property rights, especially when handling non-public data.

2.2 Unacceptable use (not allowed)

The following uses of AI Tools are not permitted:

  • Using AI Tools to fabricate or manipulate data, images, tables, or experimental results.

  • Generating references, citations, or factual claims that are not checked and verified against reliable sources.

  • Uploading confidential, unpublished, or sensitive data (e.g., patient data, proprietary data, or full unpublished manuscripts) to public AI platforms in a way that could compromise confidentiality or legal/ethical obligations.

  • Relying on AI Tools to write the manuscript without substantial human oversight and revision.

If such practices are detected, the journal may reject the manuscript and, when appropriate, inform the authors’ institution or funding bodies in accordance with international publication ethics standards.

3. Required AI Declaration in Submitted Manuscripts

If AI Tools have been used in any substantial way during manuscript preparation (beyond basic spelling/grammar checks), authors must include a declaration at the end of the manuscript, before the references list, under a new heading:

Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the manuscript preparation process

Example statements:

- Language editing only

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used ChatGPT (OpenAI) for language editing and to improve the clarity and readability of the text. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.

- Ideas, summaries, and language

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to assist in outlining sections, summarizing some parts of the literature, and improving the clarity and readability of the manuscript. After using this tool, the author(s) critically reviewed, verified, and edited all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.

- Generic template

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL / SERVICE] to [e.g., improve language and readability; assist with organizing the structure of the manuscript]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.

The declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools such as standard spell-checkers, grammar checkers, and reference managers. If no relevant AI Tools have been used, no statement is required.

4. Use of AI Tools by Reviewers and Editors

To protect authors’ rights, data confidentiality, and the integrity of the peer review process, Canrea Journal does not allow the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies by reviewers or editors to:

  • Read, store, or summarize submitted manuscripts.

  • Generate or draft peer review reports.

  • Upload any part of a manuscript (text, figures, tables, or supplementary data) to public AI platforms.

Reviewers and editors must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of all manuscript content.

  • Use only secure, non-public tools that comply with institutional and legal requirements when handling manuscripts.

  • Base their evaluation on their own expertise, critical reading, and scientific judgment.

The journal may revisit this policy as compliant and secure AI tools become available, in line with best practices of reputable international journals and guidelines from organizations such as COPE and ICMJE.

5. Policy Updates

This policy may be updated to reflect developments in AI technologies and evolving standards of good publication practice in the international scholarly community. The current version of the policy will always be available on the Canrea Journal: Food Technology, Nutrition, and Culinary Journal website.