Política de uso de IA

EDITORIAL POLICY ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Aligned with CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026 and the practices of leading international scientific publishers

1. Introduction and Purpose

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed scientific research workflows. Tools such as large language models (LLMs) are widely used by authors and reviewers to assist with writing, synthesis, grammatical correction, and data analysis. This scenario requires the Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência to establish clear guidelines to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in the production and evaluation of published scientific knowledge.

This policy is based on two main pillars:

  • CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664, of March 6, 2026, which establishes the CNPq Scientific Activity Integrity Policy and specific guidelines on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in research and scientific publication (Art. 9, item I, subitems c, d, e, f);

  • The editorial practices of leading international scientific publishers and the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The fundamental principle guiding this entire policy, in full compliance with CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026, is non-negotiable human responsibility: AI is a support tool, and all ethical, scientific, and legal responsibility for published content, including any plagiarism or inaccuracies generated by generative AI, rests exclusively with the human authors.

2. Authorship and AI Tools

2.1 Prohibition of AI Authorship

Generative AI tools, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, DeepSeek, and similar tools, MUST NOT be listed as authors or co-authors of any manuscript submitted to the Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência. Scientific authorship requires the ability to assume ethical and legal responsibility for the published content.

This prohibition is consistent with: (a) CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026, Art. 9, item I, subitem d, which prohibits the submission of content generated by generative AI as if it were human-authored; and (b) the unanimous position of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and leading international scientific publishers.

2.2 Full Responsibility of Authors

In compliance with Art. 9, item I, subitems d and f of CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026, the authors are fully responsible for the final content of the manuscript, including any plagiarism, inaccuracies, hallucinations, or distortions generated by generative AI tools used at any stage of the research. This includes:

  • Individual verification of each bibliographic reference generated or suggested by AI against primary sources;

  • Validation of all data, analyses, and results processed with AI assistance;

  • Critical review of all text, translation, or synthesis produced with generative AI support;

  • Ensuring that no information generated by AI, whether fabricated or inaccurate, appears in the published manuscript.

2.3 Mandatory Disclosure at Any Research Stage

In compliance with Art. 9, item I, subitem c of CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026, the use of generative AI tools must be disclosed at any stage of research development, including:

  • Conceptualization stage: use of generative AI to identify gaps in the literature, formulate hypotheses, or define the scope of the research;

  • Writing stage: use of generative AI to draft, revise, translate, or improve the manuscript text;

  • Data analysis stage: use of generative AI to process, analyze, or visualize data;

  • Submission stage: use of generative AI in preparing the cover letter or responses to reviewers.

Basic spelling-checking tools integrated into word processors (such as Microsoft Word's spell checker) are exempt from this requirement.

The disclosure must be included in a specific section of the manuscript, immediately before the References, under the title "Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use", specifying: (a) the name of the tool used; (b) the stage and purpose of its use; and (c) the extent of human supervision and verification performed.

2.4 AI Uses by Authors

The Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência recognizes that generative AI tools can contribute to the scientific production process when used transparently and under supervision. The following table summarizes permitted and prohibited uses:

PERMITTED USES (with disclosure) PROHIBITED USES
Grammatical, spelling, and stylistic revision of the text Listing AI tools as authors or co-authors
Improvement of fluency and readability Submitting AI-generated content as human-authored without disclosure
Translation of manuscripts (with human review) Generating results, conclusions, or discussions without human validation
Support for bibliographic research (with source verification) Modifying results, images, or graphs to favor hypotheses
Support for statistical analysis and data processing Fabricating or altering research data
Visualization of real data (with disclosure) Uploading unpublished manuscripts to AI without assessing risks
Generation of illustrative figures (not based on primary data) Generating bibliographic references without verification against primary sources

3. Use of AI by Reviewers

3.1 Prohibition on Sharing Manuscripts with Generative AI

In direct compliance with Art. 9, item I, subitem e of CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026—which prohibits "the insertion of third-party research projects into generative AI tools for the preparation of scientific reviews"—it is PROHIBITED to upload, enter, copy, or share manuscripts submitted for review, or any parts thereof (texts, tables, figures, data), into generative AI tools of any kind.

This prohibition aims to protect:

  • the confidentiality of the peer-review process;

  • authors' rights over unpublished data and results;

  • the integrity of the evaluation process.

3.2 Permitted Uses of AI by Reviewers

The following auxiliary uses are permitted, provided that manuscript content is not shared with external tools:

  • Use of generative AI to improve the grammar and clarity of the reviewer's own report (after it has been fully drafted by the reviewer);

  • Consultation of scientific databases and AI-supported search tools to verify factual information in the public domain.

3.3 Responsibility and Disclosure for Reviewers

Technical judgment, editorial recommendations, and assessment of the scientific merit of the work must be exclusively human-authored. If a reviewer uses generative AI when preparing their review report (for linguistic revision of their own report), they do not need to disclose this use to the responsible editor when submitting the report.

The Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência reserves the right not to consider reviews that are evidently automatically generated by generative AI without critical and specialized analysis of the scientific content.

4. Images, Figures, and Data

Data integrity is fundamental to the Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência. The following rules specifically apply to the use of AI in visual representations:

  • The use of AI in scientific images to alter the informational content of visual representations in a way that distorts, conceals, or favors research results is PROHIBITED, as this constitutes falsification under Art. 5, item XII and Art. 33, item I of CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026;

  • Basic brightness and contrast adjustments are permitted provided they are applied uniformly and do not alter the interpretation of the data;

  • The use of AI for visualization and graphical representation of real data (such as graphs generated by analysis scripts) is permitted;

  • Schematic diagrams and illustrative figures (not representing primary data) may be prepared with the assistance of generative AI, provided they are identified as such in their captions.

5. Declaration Templates

5.1 Template A (Use of AI in Writing or Text Revision)

Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used the tool [TOOL NAME, e.g., ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-4o version)] for the purpose of [PURPOSE, e.g., improving the grammar and fluency of the text / assisting with translation into English]. After using the tool, the authors critically reviewed and edited all content, assuming full and complete responsibility for the published manuscript, including any inaccuracies or errors.

5.2 Template B — (Use of AI in Data Analysis or Methodology)

Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use

During the [STAGE, e.g., statistical analysis / image processing / literature review] phase of this study, the authors used the tool [NAME, e.g., GitHub Copilot / ChatGPT] for the purpose of [DETAILED PURPOSE]. All results were verified and validated by the authors. The original data and scripts are available at [REPOSITORY/LINK], ensuring reproducibility. The authors assume full responsibility for the content.

5.3 Template C (Use of AI in Research Conceptualization)

Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use

During the conceptualization stage of this research, the authors used the tool [NAME] to [PURPOSE, e.g., identify gaps in the literature / assist in defining the research problem]. The hypotheses, objectives, and final scope of the research were defined exclusively by the authors, who assume full responsibility for the scientific content.

5.4 Template D (No Use of AI)

Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use

The authors declare that no generative artificial intelligence tool was used at any stage of the development of this manuscript (conceptualization, writing, data analysis, or submission).

6. Compliance, Violations, and Consequences

Non-compliance with this policy constitutes a potential violation of scientific integrity under CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664/2026. Depending on its severity, the violation may be classified as serious or extremely serious (Arts. 32 and 33 of the Ordinance), subjecting the researcher to the sanctions provided for in Art. 34, including suspension of CNPq grants and financial support, disqualification from participation in funding activities, and repayment of funds.

Within the editorial scope of the Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência, consequences may include:

  • Return of the manuscript for correction before evaluation;

  • Rejection of the manuscript during the review process;

  • Retraction of the article after publication in cases of serious violation;

  • Notification to CNPq and the author's home institution, when applicable.

The Revista de Biotecnologia e Ciência may use technological tools to assist in detecting undisclosed use of generative AI and inconsistencies in scientific images, always under the supervision of the editorial team.

7. Legal Basis and References

7.1 National Regulations

  • CNPq Ordinance No. 2,664, of March 6, 2026 — CNPq Scientific Activity Integrity Policy (Art. 9, I, c, d, e, f). Published in the Official Gazette of Brazil on March 11, 2026, Section 1, p. 4.

7.2 International Guidelines

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) — Artificial Intelligence guidance (2024/2026);

  • Elsevier — The use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in writing and in the review process;

  • Wiley — AI guidelines for researchers (2025);

  • Springer Nature — AI guidance for researchers and communities (2026);

  • Frontiers — BE WISE Framework (2025/2026);

  • MDPI — Updated Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence and Authorship;

  • Taylor & Francis — AI Policy.