The two standards to know
ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) writes the recommendations many medical journals follow. On AI, they say:
- Journals should ask authors to disclose at submission whether they used AI-assisted technologies, such as large language models, chatbots or image creators.
- Authors should describe how they used it, in the cover letter and in the relevant section of the work.
- AI used for writing help goes in the acknowledgments. AI used for data collection, analysis or figures goes in the methods.
- AI tools should not be listed as authors, because they can't be responsible for the accuracy, integrity and originality of the work.
- Humans stay responsible. Review and edit AI output, because it can be incorrect, incomplete or biased.
- In ICMJE's words: "Referencing AI-generated material as the primary source is not acceptable."
- Not disclosing AI use may need corrective action and, in some circumstances, may be treated as misconduct.
COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) takes the same line. Its position statement says that "AI tools cannot be listed as an author of a paper." AI tools can't take responsibility for the work. As non-legal entities, they can't declare conflicts of interest or handle copyright and licences. Authors who use AI must say which tool they used and how, in the methods or a similar section. And authors are fully responsible for the content, including the parts an AI produced.
So: AI is never an author. You are. You disclose what it did.
What UK universities add
Your course rules decide what AI help is allowed in assessed work. They vary by programme and even by module.
Two frameworks come up often in the UK:
- The Russell Group principles on generative AI in education (2023). In general terms, they commit universities to building AI literacy and to upholding academic rigour and integrity, with clear and transparent policies.
- The AI Assessment Scale (AIAS). A five-level framework educators use to set what role AI plays in a task, from no AI through to AI exploration. If your module names a level, use that label in your statement.
Neither one replaces your handbook. Read it, and ask your supervisor when it's unclear.
How to write the statement
A good AI disclosure answers five questions:
- Which tool? Give the name and version if you know it, and the dates you used it.
- For what? For example: drafting search terms, summarising abstracts, checking grammar.
- Where in the work? Name the chapters or sections it touched.
- What did you check? Say how you verified the output, such as re-reading the source papers or re-running searches.
- Who's responsible? You are. Say so.
Example (dissertation):
I used [tool, version] between [dates] to propose synonyms for my search strategy (Chapter 3) and to draft plain-English summaries of 12 included abstracts, which I checked against the full texts. I edited all output. No AI tool was used to write the discussion or conclusions. My course permits this use at [AIAS level / course label]. I take full responsibility for the content.
For a journal: put writing help in the acknowledgments and analytic use in the methods, as ICMJE describes. Then mention it in the cover letter too.
Keep a record as you go
Statements are easy when you have notes and painful when you don't. Keep a running log with the date, the tool, what you asked, what you used and what you changed. Five lines a session is plenty.
Inside the app, the AI-use declaration export (/app/export) builds an AI-use declaration you can copy or download as Markdown. It states that AI is never listed as an author, in line with ICMJE and COPE guidance on authorship and disclosure. You can share it with your supervisor. It includes AI Assessment Scale wording you can match to your course's level; whether a given use is allowed is still your course's decision. Included in student plans. Join the waitlist to hear when checkout opens.
FAQ
Can I list ChatGPT or another AI tool as a co-author?
No. ICMJE and COPE both say AI tools can't be authors, because they can't take responsibility for the work.
Where does the AI statement go?
For journals, ICMJE says writing help goes in the acknowledgments and analytic use goes in the methods, plus the cover letter. For dissertations, follow your handbook. Many use a declaration page.
Do I need to disclose grammar checking?
Check your course rules. If in doubt, disclose. A one-line note costs nothing.
Can I cite an AI tool as a source?
ICMJE says referencing AI-generated material as the primary source isn't acceptable. Cite the original papers.