Rockefeller University Press 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 states that authors do not need to acknowledge the use of AI-based grammar or spelling checkers (and reference managers). However, when AI tools or LLMs are used to generate article content, this use should be documented in the Materials and methods section, including what parts were generated and the specific tool/LLM and version used, with a description of how it was used. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- It is not necessary to acknowledge the use of AI-based grammar/spelling checkers or reference managers. The use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content should be documented in the Materials and methods section of the manuscript. This includes reporting details on which parts of the article were generated with the assistance of AI, and details on the AI tool or LLM and version used with a description of how it was used.
Source
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
Authors must ensure that submitted articles are their own work and remain accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the manuscript, including any content generated by Artificial Intelligence models such as Large Language Models (LLMs). AI tools and LLMs are not permitted to be listed as authors because they do not meet the accountability requirement. When AI tools or LLMs are used to generate article content, that use should be documented in the Materials and methods section, including what parts were AI-assisted and the tool or LLM (and version) and how it was used. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Articles submitted must be the authors’ own work. Authors are accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including content generated by Artificial Intelligence models, e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs) and similar technologies. AI tools and LLMs do not meet the requirement for accountability, so they may not be listed as authors on any article published by Journal of Cell Biology. The use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content should be documented in the Materials and methods section of the manuscript. This includes reporting details on which parts of the article were generated with the assistance of an AI, and details on the AI tool or LLM and version used with a description of how it was used.
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
Rockefeller University Press journals allow authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, which includes use for translation, but this use must be declared in the manuscript. Authors must add a statement at the end of the manuscript in the Materials and methods section (or in another suitably prominent place if there is no Methods section) that names the tool and explains the reason for its use. Authors must not list AI tools as authors, and authors remain fully responsible and liable for all manuscript content, including content produced using AI tools. The policy requires that, after using the tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for it.
Evidence
- RUP journals allow the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, but their use must be declared, and they cannot be credited as an author. Authors must disclose the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process by adding a statement at the end of their manuscript in the Materials and methods section (or at a suitably prominent place in the text if there is no Methods section). This statement should name the tool and the reason for its use. Example statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, including the parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics. AI tools cannot be listed as an author on a submitted paper. Authorship is reserved for persons who have made a substantive contribution to the article.
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Rockefeller University Press states that authors remain responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including any content produced using AI models such as LLMs. The publisher requires that use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content be documented in the Materials and methods section, including what parts were generated and the tool/version and how it was used. Any AI tool or LLM use must not breach the journal’s plagiarism, image manipulation, or confidentiality policies. The policy does not specifically define rules for AI use limited to refining or formatting data, and it does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors are accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including content generated by Artificial Intelligence models, e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs) and similar technologies. The use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content should be documented in the Materials and methods section of the manuscript. This includes reporting details on which parts of the article were generated with the assistance of AI, and details on the AI tool or LLM and version used with a description of how it was used. Any use of AI tools or LLMs must not breach Journal of Cell Biology’s plagiarism, image manipulation, or confidentiality policies.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide an AI-specific policy that explicitly addresses generating or editing images, diagrams, or other illustrative figures. However, any use of AI tools or LLMs must not breach the journal’s existing plagiarism, image manipulation, or confidentiality policies. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Any use of AI tools or LLMs must not breach Journal of Cell Biology's plagiarism, image manipulation, or confidentiality policies.
Source
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide an AI-specific policy addressing the generation or editing of visualizations of research data or results. However, when AI tools or LLMs are used, such use must not breach the journal’s image manipulation policies (and is also framed as needing to avoid breaches of related plagiarism and confidentiality policies). The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Any use of AI tools or LLMs must not breach Journal of Cell Biology's plagiarism, image manipulation, or confidentiality policies.
Source
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
Authors are required to disclose any use of generative AI tools in preparing a manuscript, including uses such as refining or formatting code. This disclosure must be included in the Materials and methods and/or Acknowledgments section. Authors remain fully responsible for the integrity of their work, including any portions produced with an AI tool. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors must disclose the use of any generative AI tools in the preparation of a manuscript in the Materials and methods and/or Acknowledgments section. Authors are fully responsible for the integrity of their work, including the parts generated by an AI tool.
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
The publisher states that authors do not need to acknowledge using reference managers, including AI-based reference managers, when gathering references. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- It is not necessary to acknowledge the use of AI-based grammar/spelling checkers or reference managers.
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
Rockefeller University Press states that submitted articles must be the authors’ own work, and that authors are accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including AI-generated content. The policy advises that use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content should be documented in the manuscript’s Materials and methods section, including which parts used AI assistance and the specific tool/version and how it was used. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Articles submitted must be the authors’ own work. Authors are accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including content generated by Artificial Intelligence models, e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs) and similar technologies. The use of AI tools or LLMs to generate article content should be documented in the Materials and methods section of the manuscript. This includes reporting details on which parts of the article were generated with the assistance of AI, and details on the AI tool or LLM and version used with a description of how it was used.
