AI policy

Obligations for authors

AI can be used to improve sentence structure and readability of manuscripts including punctuation, grammar, and spelling checks. This assistive use of AI does not need to be declared by authors. Use of AI that goes beyond assistive use is considered generative and, in this case, declaration is necessary. For example, AI use is permitted for the generation of illustrations and schematics provided that the AI tool is properly cited in the manuscript. Authors should provide the name of the specific AI tool utilised and clearly describe the purpose and extent of this use. This can be done either in the Methods or in the Acknowledgements sections of the manuscript. Generative AI must not be used for text or interpretations, and authors need to ensure that the manuscript does not include any AI-generated hallucinated or unverifiable data.

During manuscript registration, authors have to certify that they have described in the Methods section or in the Acknowledgements the generative use of AI tools.

Obligations for editors

Editors should not upload manuscripts and/or peer review reports to AI tools because this violates the distribution licence agreement as the AI tool does not give the required attribution to the authors. Editors' decisions should be entirely based on their scientific expertise and not rely on AI-generated feedback. If editors suspect peer review reports being generated by AI, they should notify the Copernicus Editorial Support Office. The assistive use of AI (punctuation, grammar, and spelling checks) to improve the structure and readability of editor reports is allowed.

Obligations for referees

Referees should not upload manuscripts and/or peer review reports to AI tools because this violates the distribution licence agreement as the AI tool does not give the required attribution to the authors. Referee comments and reports should always be written by persons since they are accountable and responsible for the content they submit. It is prohibited to use AI tools to generate referee comments or reports. If referees suspect that authors violated the AI policy, they should notify the editor. The assistive use of AI (punctuation, grammar, and spelling checks) to improve the structure and readability of referee comments and reports is allowed.

When submitting their report, referees have to certify that they have followed these obligations.