Use of Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence Tools in Works Submitted to Journal of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

We don't want to change. Every change is a menace to stability. That's another reason why we're so chary of applying new inventions.-Aldous Huxley, Brave New WorldThe Journal of Clinical Oncology shares knowledge and expertise, fosters a robust interchange, and perpetuates valuable learning, all in service of improving outcomes of patients with cancer.To that end, JCO is more than just a collection of articles. The journal provides a forum for the exchange of ideas in which individual voices contribute their unique perspective and experience, providing the human context to the knowledge generated. That conversation between the author and the reader, albeit distant in time and space, is central to our purpose.Authors create text to provide the background and rationale for their work, describe the methods, delineate results, and share their interpretation. Figures display data visually, complementing and extending the results that were given in text form. Authors routinely use electronic tools to search the literature, correct grammar and spelling, analyze data, and format references. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT have greatly expanded the electronic assistance available to authors.

ESR Journals editors’ joint statement on Guidelines for the Use of Large Language Models by Authors, Reviewers, and Editors

“…If the tools were part of carrying out the research and to generate results, authors must provide this information in the Materials and Methods section or in the relevant section of the manuscript (e.g., figure legends for AI-generated figures) [ 9 ]. In all cases of use of AI-assisted technologies, authors should include specific details, such as the name and version of the AI tool, date of access, name of the manufacturer/creator [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Authors must transparently report how they used such tools in the writing or editing of their submitted work in the Acknowledgment section. Authors are encouraged to include specific details, such as the name of the language model or tool, version number, and manufacturer [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Is ChatGPT a “Fire of Prometheus” for Non-Native English-Speaking Researchers in Academic Writing?

“…Most other journals as well as organizations including Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) do not ban the use of LLMs—rather, they emphasize the importance of transparency in disclosing how AI tools were used in the study and manuscript preparation. Specifically, authors are advised to “note the AI tool used, the version number, the date accessed, and the manufacturer/creator name along with a description of how and for which parts of the submission the tools were used” [ 23 ].…”

“…Similarly, Journal of American Medical Association ( JAMA ) specifies that including the contents of the manuscript or abstract being reviewed in the prompts for LLMs violates the confidentiality agreement, while using an AI tool in a manner that does not violate the confidentiality policy is not prohibited, which in the authors’ opinion likely involves either using an LLM for searching information or editing the non-crucial parts of the review comments for grammar and spelling. The policies of several prominent authorities in scientific publishing regarding LLMs or AI-generated content are summarized in Table 1 [ 23 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 ].…”

Noteworthy Developments in the Korean Journal of Radiology in 2023 and for 2024

“…Consequently, the use of LLMs in scientific publications is expanding rapidly, creating ethical and legal concerns [ 22 23 24 25 26 ]. This concern prompted the issuance of policy statements and guidelines regarding the use of LLMs in scientific publications by numerous journals and authoritative bodies [ 22 23 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 ]. Recognizing the significance of this matter, KJR has proactively published guidelines preceding many other journals in this regard [ 35 36 ].…”