The purpose of this policy is to promote the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence while preserving the integrity of scientific research and scholarly publishing. The journal encourages innovation while ensuring that AI technologies do not compromise research quality, editorial independence, or publication ethics.

The objectives of this policy are to:

• Promote responsible and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence.
• Protect the integrity and originality of scholarly publications.
• Clarify the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors when AI tools are used.
• Support compliance with internationally accepted publication ethics and editorial standards.
• Prevent misuse of AI in scientific research and scholarly publishing.
• Maintain public confidence in published research.

Artificial Intelligence tools may be used only as supportive technologies that assist researchers with language improvement, grammar correction, formatting, translation, literature organization, or other editorial tasks. AI should not replace human scientific judgment, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, or professional responsibility.

Authors, reviewers, and editors remain fully responsible for:

• The accuracy and reliability of all published content.
• The originality of the manuscript.
• The interpretation of research findings.
• Compliance with publication ethics and research integrity standards.
• The protection of confidential information.

The use of AI does not reduce or transfer the professional responsibilities of any participant involved in the publication process.

Authors may use Artificial Intelligence tools to support manuscript preparation provided that such use is transparent, appropriate, and consistent with ethical publishing practices. Human authors must review, verify, and accept full responsibility for all AI-assisted content submitted to the journal.

Appropriate uses of AI may include:

• Grammar and language editing.
• Improving readability and writing style.
• Translation assistance.
• Formatting manuscripts.
• Organizing references or literature summaries (subject to author verification).

Authors must not use AI to:

• Generate fabricated research data or experimental results.
• Create false or misleading scientific conclusions.
• Generate fictitious references or inaccurate citations.
• Manipulate research images without disclosure.
• Replace scientific analysis or professional judgment.
• Produce content that infringes copyright or intellectual property rights.

Authors remain solely responsible for verifying the accuracy of all AI-assisted content before manuscript submission.

Authors should disclose the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools whenever such tools have made a meaningful contribution to the preparation of the manuscript. Appropriate disclosure promotes transparency and allows editors, reviewers, and readers to understand how AI technologies were used during manuscript development.

Where applicable, the disclosure should include:

• The name of the AI tool or software used.
• The purpose for which the AI tool was used.
• The extent of AI assistance during manuscript preparation.
• Confirmation that all AI-generated content has been carefully reviewed and verified by the authors.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, completeness, and integrity of all submitted content, regardless of any AI assistance.

Artificial Intelligence systems, including generative AI tools and large language models, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to IJMSDH. Authorship requires accountability, responsibility, intellectual contribution, and the ability to approve the final manuscript, all of which can only be fulfilled by human authors.

Accordingly:

• AI systems cannot satisfy accepted authorship criteria.
• AI tools cannot accept responsibility for published work.
• AI tools cannot disclose conflicts of interest.
• AI tools cannot approve the final version of a manuscript.

Only individuals who meet the journal's authorship requirements may be listed as authors.

Authors must ensure that all images, figures, graphical illustrations, datasets, and research findings accurately represent the original research conducted. AI-generated or AI-modified visual materials must not misrepresent scientific observations or experimental results.

Authors must not use AI to:

• Create fabricated research data or clinical findings.
• Generate misleading scientific images or illustrations.
• Manipulate experimental images without appropriate disclosure.
• Produce synthetic data presented as genuine research results.
• Alter research findings in a manner that could mislead readers.

Where AI-assisted visual content is included for legitimate scientific purposes, authors should provide an appropriate explanation within the manuscript whenever necessary.

Peer reviewers are expected to maintain strict confidentiality throughout the review process. Manuscripts submitted for peer review are confidential documents and must not be uploaded to publicly accessible AI systems or other third-party platforms that may retain, process, or reuse confidential content.

Reviewers should:

• Maintain confidentiality of all manuscript materials.
• Avoid uploading confidential manuscripts to public AI tools.
• Provide independent scientific evaluations based on their own expertise.
• Inform the Editorial Office if AI assistance has been used in a manner that could affect confidentiality or objectivity.

Editors may use AI technologies only for limited administrative or language-support purposes where appropriate. Editorial decisions must always be made independently by qualified editors and based solely on scientific merit, publication ethics, peer review, and editorial judgment.

Editors should not use AI to:

• Replace independent editorial decision-making.
• Evaluate scientific merit without human oversight.
• Upload confidential manuscript content to public AI platforms.
• Compromise author, reviewer, or manuscript confidentiality.

The Editorial Office remains fully responsible for all editorial decisions and ensures that the use of AI does not compromise the fairness, confidentiality, or integrity of the publication process.

The Editorial Office may assess the reported use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during manuscript evaluation to ensure compliance with the journal's editorial policies, publication ethics, and research integrity standards. Editors may request clarification or additional information where the use of AI is not adequately disclosed or where concerns arise regarding the originality, accuracy, or authenticity of submitted content.

Where appropriate, the Editorial Office may:

• Request clarification regarding the use of AI tools.
• Require revision of AI-generated or AI-assisted content.
• Request supporting documentation or original research materials.
• Seek independent expert advice when necessary.
• Take appropriate editorial action where misuse of AI is identified.

Failure to disclose significant AI use or misuse of AI technologies may result in editorial actions in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics, Research Misconduct, and Retraction policies.

IJMSDH supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in scholarly publishing. The journal encourages innovation while ensuring that AI technologies do not compromise scientific integrity, originality, editorial independence, confidentiality, or public trust in published research.

The journal considers internationally recognized recommendations and best practices relating to Artificial Intelligence, publication ethics, research integrity, and responsible scholarly communication when developing and implementing its editorial policies.

The journal is committed to:

• Maintaining transparency in AI-assisted scholarly publishing.
• Protecting the integrity and originality of published research.
• Ensuring that human authors remain accountable for their work.
• Safeguarding confidentiality throughout the editorial and peer review process.
• Supporting responsible innovation in scientific publishing.

Questions regarding this Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, disclosure requirements, ethical use of AI tools, or AI-related concerns may be directed to the Editorial Office through the journal's official contact information available on the website. The Editorial Office will consider such enquiries in accordance with the journal's editorial policies and publication ethics standards.

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect advances in AI technologies, developments in scholarly publishing, publication ethics, and internationally recognized best practices. Authors, reviewers, editors, and readers are encouraged to consult the latest version of this policy available on the journal website.