Thieme 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
Thieme permits the use of generative AI tools for language-focused refinement (such as improving readability, logic, sentence patterns, and copyediting paragraphs) when this use is transparently disclosed. If authors use substantive tools to create text, they must document this use in the Acknowledgements or Material and Methods section using the required declaration statement. Authors must review and edit any content they create or alter with a GenAI tool before including it in the paper, must check and verify the authenticity and validity of each suggestion, and remain accountable and liable for every part of the paper. Authors should not upload their papers to GenAI platforms because the paper will become part of the training data of the GenAI.
Evidence
- If authors use substantive tools to create text, the use must be transparently documented in the Acknowledgements or Material and Methods sections by including the following statement: Declaration of GenAI use During the writing process of this paper, the author(s) used ((tool name)) in order to ((description)). The author(s) reviewed and edited the text and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the paper. Any content they create or alter with the help on a GenAI tool must be properly reviewed and edited before inclusion in a paper. Authors are accountable and liable for every part of their paper. Authors must check and verify the authenticity and validity of each suggestion. Potential allowed use of GenAI tool if transparently disclosed: improve readability, logic, recommend sentence patterns copyedit paragraphs Authors should not upload their papers to GenAI platforms, or it will become part of the training data of the GenAI.
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
If authors use substantive generative AI tools to create manuscript text, Thieme requires that this use be transparently documented in the Acknowledgements or Material and Methods sections using the publisher's specified declaration statement. Authors must review and edit any content created or altered with a GenAI tool before including it in the paper, must check and verify the authenticity and validity of each suggestion, and remain fully responsible for the paper's content. Thieme also states that authors themselves contribute scientifically and intellectually and write the critical sections of the paper.
Evidence
- If authors use substantive tools to create text, the use must be transparently documented in the Acknowledgements or Material and Methods sections by including the following statement: Declaration of GenAI use: During the writing process of this paper, the author(s) used ((tool name)) in order to ((description)). The author(s) reviewed and edited the text and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the paper. Authors are accountable and liable for every part of their paper. Any content they create or alter with the help of a GenAI tool must be properly reviewed and edited before inclusion in a paper. Authors themselves contribute scientifically and intellectually and write the critical sections of the paper.
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide explicit guidance on the use of AI specifically for translation of manuscript text for publishing purposes.
Evidence
- not defined
Source
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Thieme permits authors to use AI tools to help find appropriate statistical analysis methods and to help analyze and interpret data, provided this use is transparently documented. The data used must be from the author's own experiments, and the authors themselves must verify the results of the statistical analysis. This AI assistance cannot replace the author's own analysis and interpretation of the data.
Evidence
- Potential allowed use of GenAI tool if transparently disclosed: find appropriate methods of (statistical) analysis help to analyze and interpret data Author responsibility: The data used must be from the author's experiments, and the authors themselves must verify the results of the statistical analysis. This help cannot replace the author's own analysis and interpretation of the data.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
Thieme generally does not permit images, videos, or illustrations that have been created using generative AI. If authors have a legitimate reason to include an AI-generated image for a specific purpose, they must contact the journal’s publishing editor, and if approval is granted, signing the “Publication of AI-generated images” form is required. Authors may use non-generative machine learning tools to enhance existing images in line with accepted scientific practices, provided the use is disclosed in the caption.
Evidence
- Research integrity, privacy, and copyright issues relating to AI-generated visual content remain unresolved. Therefore, in general, Thieme Science journals do not permit images, videos, and illustrations that have been created using GenAI. Authors who have legitimate reasons to include AI-generated image in their paper for a specific purpose should contact the publishing editor of the journal, and if approved, signing the 'Publication of AI-generated images' form is required. Authors may use non-generative machine learning tools to enhance their existing images in accordance with accepted scientific practises if the use is disclosed in the caption.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
Thieme generally does not permit images, videos, or illustrations created using generative AI, which includes AI-generated visualizations of research data or results. If authors have a legitimate reason to include an AI-generated image for a specific purpose, they must contact the journal’s publishing editor, and if approval is granted, signing the “Publication of AI-generated images” form is required. Authors may use non-generative machine learning tools to enhance existing images in accordance with accepted scientific practices, but this use must be disclosed in the caption.
Evidence
- Research integrity, privacy, and copyright issues relating to AI-generated visual content remain unresolved. Therefore, in general, Thieme Science journals do not permit images, videos, and illustrations that have been created using GenAI. Authors who have legitimate reasons to include AI-generated image in their paper for a specific purpose should contact the publishing editor of the journal, and if approved, signing the 'Publication of AI-generated images' form is required. Authors may use non-generative machine learning tools to enhance their existing images in accordance with accepted scientific practices if the use is disclosed in the caption.
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
The publisher does not provide explicit guidance on the use of AI specifically to refine or format code reported in the submitted manuscript.
Evidence
- not defined
Source
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
Thieme permits authors to use GenAI tools to format and find references, provided that this use is transparently disclosed. Authors must confirm that all cited references are authentic, accurate, relevant, valid, and compliant with the requirements of the research area and the journal.
Evidence
- Potential allowed use of GenAI tool if transparently disclosed: format and find references Authors must confirm that the references they cite are authentic, accurate, relevant, valid, and conform to the requirements of the research area and the journal.
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
Thieme’s policy addresses situations in which researchers use AI to mimic or manipulate existing research outcomes, and distinguishes these from research where AI itself is the subject, which is allowed (for example, developing and using AI tools to predict physical properties of molecules). Authors must check and verify the authenticity and validity of each AI suggestion. While AI can help to analyze and interpret data, this help cannot replace the author’s own analysis and interpretation of the data.
Evidence
- *This statement refers to cases when researchers are using AI to mimic or manipulate existing research outcomes. When AI is the topic of research, this will be allowed. For example, it is allowed to develop and use AI tools to predict physical properties of molecules. Authors must check and verify the authenticity and validity of each suggestion. AI can help to analyze and interpret data. This help cannot replace the author's own analysis and interpretation of the data.