Generative Artificial Intelligence and Scholarly Articles: A Conversation with Journal Editors

Abstract: ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies have the potential to significantly change how scholarly writing is produced, reviewed, and edited. What does it mean to be an author? What entails responsible use of these constantly evolving technologies by authors, peer reviewers, and editors? A recently published statement by several editors of bioethics and humanities journals offers a set of recommendations on this topic. Among the recommendations are that large language models (LLMs) not be listed as authors, that authors be transparent about their uses of LLMs, and that editors and peer reviewers not rely on LLMs alone to assess submitted manuscripts. During this gathering, a panel of journal editors will briefly discuss questions, values, and goals that guide the recommendations. Given the many unknowns about how the technologies will be used for scholarly publications, ongoing collaborative development of professional norms is necessary. The ASBH audience will be part of this collaborative effort. Questions for discussion will include the following: How do audience members anticipate using GenAI? In the writing and reviewing of manuscripts, how might reliance on GenAI alter scholarly communities or influence the formation of interprofessional relationships? What is the value of disclosing the use of GenAI in writing a manuscript? What responsibilities do ethicists have to educate themselves about these technologies and to limit their use in the review of manuscripts? How might the use of GenAI by authors affect diversity or equity in journal publishing?