IEEE 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
IEEE permits authors to use AI systems for editing and grammar enhancement, and considers this common practice that is generally outside the intent of the AI disclosure policy. Disclosure for editing and grammar use is recommended but not required. When using an AI system for editing and grammar, authors should exclude the reference section to prevent unwanted changes, and should always double-check AI-generated results.
Evidence
- The use of AI systems for editing and grammar enhancement is common practice and, as such, is generally outside the intent of the above policy. In this case, disclosure as noted above is not required, but recommended. If using an AI system for editing and grammar, exclude the reference section; otherwise, the tool may make unwanted changes. Always double check AI-generated results.
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
When an article submitted to an IEEE publication includes AI-generated text, that use shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section. The disclosure shall identify the AI system used, specify which sections contain AI-generated content, and include a brief explanation of the level of AI involvement. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
Source
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
IEEE does not provide translation-specific AI policy guidance. The general IEEE rule applies: any AI-generated content in an article including text must be disclosed in the acknowledgments section. The AI system used must be identified and specific sections using AI-generated content must be identified with a brief explanation. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content. Therefore, articles must be reviewed and edited by the human authors, who are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
Source
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
When artificial intelligence is used to generate text in an article, including any text that appears in figures and tables, this use shall be disclosed in the acknowledgements section for papers submitted to an IEEE publication. The disclosure shall identify the AI system used and provide a clear explanation of how the AI system was used. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for all content in their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content. Therefore, articles must be reviewed and edited by the human authors, who are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
Source
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
When an article submitted to an IEEE publication includes figures or images generated by an AI system, this use shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section. The disclosure shall identify the AI system used and specify which sections of the article contain AI-generated content, with a brief explanation of the level of AI involvement. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content.
Source
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
IEEE requires that any use of AI-generated content in an article, including figures, images, and similar elements, be disclosed in the acknowledgments section. The disclosure shall identify the AI system used and shall identify the specific sections containing AI-generated content, along with a brief explanation of the level of AI involvement. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content. Therefore, articles must be reviewed and edited by the human authors, who are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
Source
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
IEEE requires that any use of AI-generated content, including code, be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of articles submitted to an IEEE publication. The disclosure shall identify the AI system used and specify the sections containing AI-generated content, along with a brief explanation of the level at which the AI system was used. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for all content in their articles.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content.
Source
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
IEEE does not provide reference-gathering-specific AI policy guidance. The general IEEE rule applies: authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles. IEEE's author ethics guidance states that authors are responsible for ensuring that all referenced material is properly cited. Articles must be reviewed and edited by the human authors.
Evidence
- Authors are responsible for the compressed knowledge that is distilled into the language and text of their papers. This includes ensuring that all referenced material is properly cited, so that the contributions of others are properly credited. Therefore, articles must be reviewed and edited by the human authors, who are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
Source
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
IEEE requires authors to disclose in their paper how any AI tool was used when AI is involved in the collection and analysis of data. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for all content in their articles. Presenting AI-generated data or results as though they came from non-machine sources, or otherwise misrepresenting data or results, is unethical under IEEE's prohibition on fabrication, falsification, and misrepresentation.
Evidence
- The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content. Fabrication, falsification, and misrepresentation of data or results are unethical. Authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their articles, including any AI-generated text.
