Springer 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
Springer permits authors to use an LLM or other AI tool for AI-assisted copy editing to improve readability and style and to correct language errors (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation, and tone), including wording and formatting changes, provided this does not involve generative editorial work or autonomous content creation. This type of AI-assisted copy editing does not need to be declared. In all cases, there must be human accountability for the final version of the text and agreement from the authors that the edits reflect their original work.
Evidence
- The use of an LLM (or other AI-tool) for “AI assisted copy editing” purposes does not need to be declared. In this context, we define the term "AI assisted copy editing" as AI-assisted improvements to human-generated texts for readability and style, and to ensure that the texts are free of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and tone. These AI-assisted improvements may include wording and formatting changes to the texts, but do not include generative editorial work and autonomous content creation. In all cases, there must be human accountability for the final version of the text and agreement from the authors that the edits reflect their original work.
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
Springer states that use of an LLM in preparing a manuscript should be documented in the Methods section, or in another suitable section if Methods is not available. Authors are responsible and accountable for the integrity of any content created by the LLM, including accuracy, absence of plagiarism, and appropriate attributions. Authors must carefully review and edit the results, as AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased.
Evidence
- Use of an LLM should be properly documented in the Methods section (and if a Methods section is not available, in a suitable alternative part) of the manuscript. The authors are responsible for the integrity of the content created by the LLM and are accountable for a) the accuracy of the content of the manuscript, b) the absence of plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), and c) the appropriateness of the attributions.
Source
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
Springer Nature permits authors to use AI or AI-assisted tools to improve the language and readability of a manuscript. Such use must be conducted with human oversight and control, because authors are responsible for the final content and must carefully review and edit any AI output. Authors must disclose the use of these tools in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of the manuscript, and these tools should not be used to replace key researcher tasks such as interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions.
Evidence
- Please note: where authors use AI or AI-assisted tools in the writing process these tools should only be used to improve the readability and language of the paper and not to replace key researcher tasks such as interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions. The use of such tools must be done with human oversight and control and authors are responsible for the content of their manuscript. Authors must carefully review and edit the result, because AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased. The use of AI must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section. What can I use AI for in my manuscript? You can use AI tools to help with language editing, for example to improve the grammar and readability of your paper. This use of AI should be disclosed in your manuscript.
Source
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Springer prohibits authors from using generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter data, images, or figures in manuscripts, including modifications that enhance, obscure, move, remove, or add specific features. The only exception is when AI or AI-assisted tools are part of the research design or research methods, in which case the use must be described in a reproducible manner in the Methods section and the specific tool must be identified. Authors must also disclose any use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the manuscript preparation process in a statement in the main manuscript text, naming the tool/model, version/extension numbers, and manufacturer, placed before the references. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors should not use generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images, figures, and data in their manuscripts. This may include enhancing, obscuring, moving, removing, or adding a specific feature within an image or figure. The only exception is if the use of AI or AI-assisted tools is part of the research design or research methods (such as in AI-assisted imaging approaches to generate or interpret data). In this case, such use must be described in a reproducible manner in the 'Methods' section and the tool that was used must be specified. Authors must disclose the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the manuscript preparation process by adding a statement in the main manuscript text (not in the acknowledgements). This statement should name the model or tool, the version and extension numbers, and the manufacturer, and it should be placed in an appropriate section of the manuscript before the references (for example, in a disclosure section or in the 'Methods' section).
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
Springer prohibits the use of AI-generated images and videos for publication, but permits limited exceptions. All permitted exceptions must be clearly labelled as generated by AI within the image field, and some exceptions (such as images and videos directly referenced in a piece specifically about AI) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the use of non-generative machine learning tools to manipulate, combine or enhance existing images or figures should be disclosed in the relevant caption upon submission to allow a case-by-case review. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- While legal issues relating to AI-generated images and videos remain broadly unresolved, Springer Nature journals are unable to permit its use for publication. Exceptions: * Images/art obtained from agencies that we have contractual relationships with that have created images in a legally acceptable manner. * Images and videos that are directly referenced in a piece that is specifically about AI and such cases will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. * The use of generative AI tools developed with specific sets of underlying scientific data that can be attributed, checked and verified for accuracy, provided that ethics, copyright and terms of use restrictions are adhered to. All exceptions must be labelled clearly as generated by AI within the image field. The use of non-generative machine learning tools to manipulate, combine or enhance existing images or figures should be disclosed in the relevant caption upon submission to allow a case-by-case review.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
Springer Nature journals do not permit the use of AI-generated images or videos for publication because related legal issues remain broadly unresolved. Limited exceptions apply, for example when the AI-generated images or video are the subject of the article's research, and all such exceptions must be clearly labelled as AI-generated within the image field. Note that text-based and numerical display items such as tables, flow charts, and simple graphs that do not contain images are not included in this restriction.
Evidence
- While legal issues relating to AI-generated images and videos remain broadly unresolved, Springer Nature journals are unable to permit its use for publication. There are limited exceptions, for example, if AI-generated images or video are a subject of the research of an article. All exceptions must be labelled clearly as generated by AI within the image field. Not included in this policy are text-based and numerical display items, such as: tables, flow charts and other simple graphs that do not contain images.
Source
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
Springer does not state a classification-specific policy on using AI to refine or format code reported in a submitted manuscript. However, authors must disclose any use of AI or AI-assisted technologies used in the writing process within the manuscript, including the tool name, version, vendor, and the purpose. Authors are fully responsible and accountable for the originality, validity, and integrity of all manuscript content, including any material generated by AI.
Evidence
- Authors who use AI or AI-assisted technologies in the writing process must disclose such use in their manuscript. The declaration should include the name, version, and vendor of the AI or AI-assisted technology, and the purpose(s) for which it was used. Authors are fully responsible and accountable for the originality, validity and integrity of the content of their manuscript, including any material generated by AI or AI-assisted technology.
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
Authors are permitted to use AI tools to help identify or compile references and citations. However, authors are responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by the tool, including citations and references, and remain ultimately accountable for the accuracy of the submitted manuscript and for ensuring all sources are properly credited.
Evidence
- Our policies for researchers make it clear that the ultimate responsibility for the work rests with the author. This includes ensuring that the material is original, not plagiarised, and that all information in the submitted manuscript (including in the references) is accurate. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by the tool, for example, citations.
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
Springer mandates that any use of an LLM or other AI tool in preparing a manuscript—including writing, producing images or graphical elements, or collecting and analyzing data—must be transparently declared in the manuscript in the specified section. Springer permits authors to omit disclosure only when the tool is used for ‘AI-assisted copyediting’ purposes. For books, Springer advises authors to carry out due diligence to ensure that any AI-generated content is accurate, properly referenced, and aligned with the Book Authors' Code of Conduct. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- The use of an LLM or other artificial intelligence (AI) tool in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data, must be transparently declared in the Methods section, or in a new section entitled 'Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process'. The use of an LLM or other AI tool for ‘AI-assisted copyediting’ purposes does not need to be declared. AI models have been known to plagiarise content and to create false content. As such, authors should carry out due diligence to ensure that any AI-generated content in their book is correct, appropriately referenced, and follow the standards as laid out in our Book Authors' Code of Conduct.
