Wolters Kluwer 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
Wolters Kluwer permits authors to use AI in the writing process only to improve readability and language, and AI should not be used to produce the work. When authors use AI tools in manuscript writing, they must disclose in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors must be transparent about AI use in an Online Contribution’s creative process, and they remain fully responsible and accountable for all content delivered, including content produced by an AI tool. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors who use AI tools 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 transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics. The use of AI in the writing process is only permitted to enhance readability and language of the work; AI should not be used to produce the work. The author must be transparent about the use of AI and disclose what type(s) of AI has (have) been used in the Online Contribution’s creative process. The author is ultimately responsible and accountable for the work delivered.
Source
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
Wolters Kluwer permits authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies when writing or drafting a manuscript, provided they are transparent about how the tool was used and which tool was used. Authors must disclose this use in the Materials and Methods (or a similar section). Authors remain fully responsible for all manuscript content produced with an AI tool and are liable for any breach of publication ethics. The use of AI may not replace the author’s intellectual exercise, including reasoning, recommendations, and conclusions. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- WKH’s Artificial Intelligence Authoring Tools and Authorship Policy permits authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data. Authors must be transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used, and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics. The use of AI may not replace the intellectual exercise of the author such as reasoning, recommendations, conclusions, etc.;
Source
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
Wolters Kluwer’s Lippincott journals permit publication of a translated manuscript as a form of secondary publication when it is intended to reach a different audience (e.g., readers in other languages). Authors must meet specified conditions, including obtaining approval from the editors of both journals, allowing a sufficient interval between the primary and secondary publication, ensuring the translated/secondary version reflects the primary version’s data and interpretations, and clearly disclosing in the title and a footnote that it is a secondary publication/translation with the primary reference. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Secondary publication of material published in other journals or online may be justifiable and beneficial, especially when intended to disseminate information to a different audience (e.g., publications in other languages with different readerships). Secondary publications must adhere to the following conditions: 1. The authors have received approval from the editors of both journals. The editor of the primary publication must have a copy, preprint, or manuscript of the secondary publication. 2. There is a sufficient time interval between the primary and secondary publication to respect the priority of the primary publication (e.g., at least 1 week). 3. The secondary publication is intended for a different group of readers; therefore, an abbreviated version may be sufficient. 4. The secondary version reflects the data and interpretations of the primary version. 5. The secondary version informs readers, peers, and documenting agencies that the paper has been published in whole or in part and states the primary reference. A footnote should be included with the following, “This article is based on a study first reported in the [title of journal, with full reference].” 6. The title of the secondary publication should indicate that it is a secondary publication (a complete or abridged republication, or a translation) of a primary publication.
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Wolters Kluwer permits authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies when collecting and analyzing data reported in a manuscript. Authors must be transparent by disclosing, in the Materials and Methods (or a similar section), how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors remain fully responsible for all manuscript content, including any portions produced by an AI tool, and are liable for any breach of publication ethics. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Wolters Kluwer’s Artificial Intelligence Authoring Tools and Authorship Policy permits authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data. Authors must be transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used, and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
The publisher permits authors to use AI tools to produce images or other graphical elements for a paper. When authors use an AI tool for this purpose, they must transparently disclose in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors remain fully responsible for all manuscript content, including any portions produced by an AI tool. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors who use AI tools 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 transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
When authors use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies for image creation, they should describe that use in either the Methods section or the Acknowledgements section. Authors are responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all content, including any AI-generated material, and should verify AI-generated text for factual correctness and proper citation. Authors are also responsible for ensuring AI-generated content is free from plagiarism and does not violate copyright laws. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors should describe the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in either the Methods section or the Acknowledgements section, when used for data analysis, image creation, or a significant portion of the paper’s content. This allows for transparency and helps readers understand the role of AI in the research. Authors are responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their content, including any material generated by AI. Authors should verify that any AI-generated text is factually correct and properly cited. Authors are also responsible for ensuring that all content, including any images or text generated by AI, is free from plagiarism and does not violate copyright laws.
Source
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
Wolters Kluwer does not state a code-specific rule for using AI to refine or format code, but its Lippincott journals guidance permits using AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process only to improve readability and language. When authors apply these technologies, they should do so with human oversight and control and should carefully review and edit the output. Authors should disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the acknowledgements section of the manuscript.
Evidence
- Where authors use AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, these technologies should only be used to improve readability and language of the manuscript and not to replace key researcher tasks such as producing scientific insights, analyzing and interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions. Applying the technology should be done with human oversight and control and authors should carefully review and edit the output. Authors should disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in their manuscript in the acknowledgements section.
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
Wolters Kluwer permits authors to use AI and AI-assisted technologies during the pre-writing (research) stage, including to help identify relevant case law and literature. For Kluwer Mediation Blog online contributions, authors must be transparent about AI use and must disclose the type(s) of AI used in the creative process. Authors remain ultimately responsible and accountable for the work delivered. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- The use of AI and AI-assisted technologies (hereafter AI) is permitted in the pre-writing (research) process; for instance, when an AI tool is used to identify relevant case law and literature. The use of AI and AI assisted technologies (hereafter AI) is permitted in the pre-writing (research) process; The author must be transparent about the use of AI and disclose what type(s) of AI has (have) been used in the Online Contribution’s creative process. The author is ultimately responsible and accountable for the work delivered.
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
When authors use AI tools in manuscript writing, creating images or graphical elements, or in collecting or analyzing data, they must transparently disclose how the AI tool was used and which tool was used, and this disclosure must be made in the Materials and Methods (or a similar section). Authors are fully responsible and accountable for all manuscript content, including any portions produced by an AI tool, and remain liable for any breach of publication ethics. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors who use AI tools 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 transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics. The author must be transparent about the use of AI and disclose what type(s) of AI has (have) been used in the Online Contribution\s creative process. The author is ultimately responsible and accountable for the work delivered.
