Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape of surgical research by optimizing data analysis, systematic reviews, and clinical applications. Despite its potential, the integration of AI introduces important challenges, including transparency, ethical usage, and the reproducibility of findings. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure responsible and effective implementation within the field. This study investigates how leading surgical journals confront these challenges and embrace emerging opportunities by analyzing their author instructions and editorial policies. Examining these guidelines offers valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in surgical research and its potential impact on the future of the field.
Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted on the top peer-reviewed surgical journals, ranked according to the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Data were collected from each journal’s “Instructions for Authors” to assess policies related to artificial intelligence, including AI-specific reporting guidelines, authorship criteria, and the use of AI in manuscript preparation and image creation. Correlational analyses were performed to examine potential relationships between the presence of AI policies and various journal characteristics. This study provides insights into how surgical journals are addressing the evolving influence of AI in academic publishing.
Results: Out of the 100 journals reviewed, 84% addressed AI usage in their author instructions, with the majority prohibiting AI authorship while requiring disclosure of AI involvement in submissions. AIgenerated content was permitted by 46% of the journals, and 49% approved the use of AI-generated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to feature detailed AI-related policies. However, significant gaps in standardization and clear guidance on AI use persist across the field.
Conclusion: Although many surgical journals acknowledge the role of AI in research, only a few endorse AI-specific reporting guidelines, hindering the standardization and transparency of AI usage. To promote ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research in this era of AI-driven innovation, we recommend the adoption of comprehensive guidelines tailored to the responsible use of AI technologies.
Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted on the top peer-reviewed surgical journals, ranked according to the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Data were collected from each journal’s “Instructions for Authors” to assess policies related to artificial intelligence, including AI-specific reporting guidelines, authorship criteria, and the use of AI in manuscript preparation and image creation. Correlational analyses were performed to examine potential relationships between the presence of AI policies and various journal characteristics. This study provides insights into how surgical journals are addressing the evolving influence of AI in academic publishing.
Results: Out of the 100 journals reviewed, 84% addressed AI usage in their author instructions, with the majority prohibiting AI authorship while requiring disclosure of AI involvement in submissions. AIgenerated content was permitted by 46% of the journals, and 49% approved the use of AI-generated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to feature detailed AI-related policies. However, significant gaps in standardization and clear guidance on AI use persist across the field.
Conclusion: Although many surgical journals acknowledge the role of AI in research, only a few endorse AI-specific reporting guidelines, hindering the standardization and transparency of AI usage. To promote ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research in this era of AI-driven innovation, we recommend the adoption of comprehensive guidelines tailored to the responsible use of AI technologies.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| State | Published - 14 Feb 2025 |
| Event | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 - Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, United States Duration: 10 Feb 2025 → 14 Feb 2025 https://medicine.okstate.edu/research/research_days.html |
Conference
| Conference | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Tulsa |
| Period | 10/02/25 → 14/02/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Artificial Intelligence
- reporting guidelines
- authorship
- transparency
- surgery