General Principles

1. Authors are required to disclose the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including generative AI (e.g., systems that generate text, images, computer code, translation, or data analysis), during manuscript preparation.
   
   
2. AI tools cannot be listed as co-authors of the publication, as they are not responsible for the content of the work and do not meet the criteria for scientific authorship.
   
   
3. Full responsibility for the content of the publication, the accuracy of the data, analyses, conclusions, citations, and compliance with scientific ethics rests with the authors.
   
   
4. Authors are required to verify all content generated or modified using AI before submitting the manuscript.

1. Detection of Potential Use of AI
   If the editors, a reviewer, or a member of the scientific advisory board reasonably suspects the use of AI, they may:
   • request clarification from the author;
   • request the submission of an additional statement;
   • request a document revision history, prompts, or other materials confirming the manuscript's preparation;
   • refer the manuscript for additional substantive review.

2. Detection of Undeclared Use of AI
   Depending on the nature of the violation, the editors may:
   1. request additional information on the use of AI;
   2. return the manuscript for corrections;
   3. suspend the review process until the matter is resolved;
   4. reject the manuscript if:
      • the use of AI led to the creation of unreliable content,
      • the author is not cooperating with the editorial office,
      • a significant violation of the principles of publication ethics is identified.

3. Identification of errors caused by AI
   If the errors are:
   • editorial or linguistic – the author is obligated to correct them;
   • substantive – the manuscript may be referred for further review;
   • serious (false data, non-existent sources, erroneous analyses) – the manuscript may be rejected.

1. Reporting irregularities
   Information about possible undeclared use of AI or errors related to AI may come from:
   • readers,
   • reviewers,
   • editors,
   • scientific institutions,
   • other interested parties.

2. Investigation
   The editorial office:
   • documents the report;
   • informs the corresponding author of the initiation of the investigation;
   • sets a deadline for submitting clarifications;
   • May appoint a committee or consultant for publication ethics;
   • Analyzes the impact of AI use on the reliability of the publication.
     
     
3. Possible actions after the proceedings are concluded
   1. No violation
      The proceedings are closed without further action.
      
      
   2. Minor violation
      Publication of a correction (Correction/Erratum), including:
      • supplementing information about the use of AI,
      • correcting editorial or formal errors.
        
        
   3. Significant violation
      Publication of an Expression of Concern if:
      • the proceedings have not been concluded,
      • there are reasonable doubts about the reliability of the work.
        
        
   4. Serious Violation
      Retraction of the article (Retraction) when:
      • the undeclared use of AI had a significant impact on the research results or conclusions;
      • AI generated false data, non-existent citations, or erroneous analyses used by the author;
      • the author knowingly concealed the use of AI;
      • the publication violates the principles of scientific ethics or good publishing practices.
        
        The retraction remains permanently linked to the article and includes the editorial decision's justification.

Consequences for Authors

Depending on the severity of the violation, the editorial office may apply:

• a written warning;
• an obligation to revise the publication;
• rejection of the manuscript;
• a temporary ban on submitting publications to the journal (e.g., 1 to 3 years);
• notification of the author's employer or research funding unit;
• retraction of the published article;
• other actions specified in the journal's ethics policy.

Procedures should be implemented in accordance with the principles of scientific integrity, the presumption of authorial good faith, the right to an explanation, and the guidelines of organizations dealing with publication ethics.