To protect authors' rights and research confidentiality, this journal does not currently allow the use of Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies such as ChatGPT or similar services for peer review (see our GenAI reviewer policy). We are actively evaluating compliant AI tools and may revise this policy in the future.

 Generative AI

Reviewing a scientific paper implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. The critical thinking and assessment required for peer-review are outside the scope of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, and there is a risk that the technology will generate incorrect, incomplete or biased conclusions. These considerations, together with the principle that submitted manuscripts are to be treated as confidential documents, underpins our Generative AI policies for reviewers and editors:

• Reviewers or editors should not upload the manuscript or any part of it into a Generative AI tool, as there is no guarantee of where materials are being sent, saved, or viewed, or how they may be used in the future and this may violate the authors’ confidentiality, proprietary and/or data privacy rights. It may also violate the terms of use of the Generative AI tool.
• This confidentiality requirement extends to the peer review report and any other communication about the manuscript, such as the notification or decision letters, as they may also contain confidential information about the manuscript and/or the authors. For this reason, they should not be uploaded into a Generative AI tool, even if it is just for the purpose of improving language and readability.
• Generative AI should not be used to assist in the review, evaluation or decision-making process of a manuscript.

Elsevier embraces new AI-driven technologies that support reviewers and editors in the editorial process, such as those used during the screening process to conduct completeness and plagiarism checks and identify suitable reviewers. These identity-protected technologies conform to the RELX Responsible AI Principlesopens in new tab/window. We continue to develop and adopt in-house or licensed technologies that can assist editors and reviewers while respecting confidentiality, proprietary and data privacy rights.