American Institute of Physics AI Guidelines
Last updated: March 30, 2026
Check AI policies for below classifications
Refinement, correction, editing or formatting the manuscript to improve clarity of language
Policy Summary
The publisher permits authors to use AI tools when preparing manuscripts, including to improve the readability of content the authors originally created, and this use does not require disclosure. Any content generated or edited with AI assistance must be critically analyzed by the authors. Authors remain responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of the submitted work.
Evidence
- The use of AI tools to prepare manuscripts or improve the readability of original content created by the authors is permitted and does not require disclosure. Any content generated or edited with the help of AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work.
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
AIP permits authors to use AI tools to prepare manuscripts or to improve the readability of original author-created content, and this use does not require disclosure. Authors should disclose AI use when it has the potential to affect an article's findings or conclusions. Any content generated or edited with AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work.
Evidence
- The use of AI tools to prepare manuscripts or improve the readability of original content created by the authors is permitted and does not require disclosure. Any content generated or edited with the help of AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work.
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide explicit guidance on using AI specifically for translation of manuscript text. AIP's general rule permits AI use to prepare manuscripts or improve readability without disclosure. Translation could fall under this general permission, but AIP does not specifically address it.
Evidence
- not defined
Source
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
AIP requires disclosure when AI is used for analysis of content, data, or images, as this has the potential to affect findings or conclusions. Such use must be described in detail in the Methods section including the exact tool, its purpose, and the reason for use. AI must not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results. Authors remain responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their work.
Evidence
- AI use should be disclosed when it has the potential to affect the findings or conclusions of an article, including but not limited to: * Analysis of content, data, or images * Designing or conducting experiments * Extracting or synthesizing information Such uses of AI should be described in detail in the Methods section. To increase transparency and reproducibility, the description must include the exact tool (name, version, manufacturer), what the tool was used for, and the reason for using it for the task. Any content generated or edited with the help of AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work. Generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results or make adjustments to original images that alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
Authors should disclose AI use when it has the potential to affect an article's findings or conclusions, including when AI is used for analysis of images. Generative AI should not be used to make adjustments to original images that alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material. The journal may request original images or data if there are concerns about their validity.
Evidence
- AI use should be disclosed when it has the potential to affect the findings or conclusions of an article, including but not limited to: * Analysis of content, data, or images Generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results or make adjustments to original images that alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
The publisher states that AI use should be disclosed when it could affect an article's findings or conclusions, including uses involving analysis of data or images. The publisher also states that generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results, or to make adjustments to original images that change their accuracy or interpretation.
Evidence
- AI use should be disclosed when it has the potential to affect the findings or conclusions of an article, including but not limited to: * Analysis of content, data, or images Generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results or make adjustments to original images that alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material.
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide explicit guidance on using AI specifically to refine or format code in submitted manuscripts. However, the publisher permits authors to use AI tools to prepare manuscripts, including improving the readability of author-created content. Any content generated or edited with AI assistance must be critically analyzed by the authors, who remain responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of the submitted work.
Evidence
- The use of AI tools to prepare manuscripts or improve the readability of original content created by the authors is permitted and does not require disclosure. Any content generated or edited with the help of AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work.
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
The publisher states that providing AI-generated references or citations that do not correspond to real sources constitutes a breach of publication ethics. Beyond this restriction, the policy does not state whether using AI tools to help locate or compile legitimate references is permitted or must be disclosed. Authors remain responsible for the accuracy of all content, including citations.
Evidence
- Any use of AI-generated references or citations that do not exist in real sources is a breach of publication ethics.
AI Status
Presentation of any kind of content generated by AI tools as though it were original research data/results from non-machine sources
Policy Summary
The publisher states that generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results, and should not be used to make adjustments to original images when those adjustments alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material. Any content generated or edited with AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of the submitted work.
Evidence
- Generative AI should not be used to create, alter, or manipulate original research data results or make adjustments to original images that alter the accuracy or interpretation of the original material. Any content generated or edited with the help of AI must be critically analyzed by the authors, who are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work. Any use of AI-generated references or citations that do not exist in real sources is a breach of publication ethics.
