YOUR GO-TO INTELLIGENCE RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

Frontiers has introduced a first‑of‑its‑kind AI guidance framework that spans the entire publication lifecycle, offering practical routes for responsible AI adoption by researchers, editors, and peer reviewers. Moving beyond simple “allowed / not allowed” rules, the framework emphasizes structured, transparent governance and calls for publishing policies to evolve in line with real‑world AI use.

This initiative builds on Frontiers’ decade‑long record of pioneering AI in publishing, including its early adoption of AI for research integrity checks.

The guidance reflects current practice across the sector, as highlighted in Frontiers’ recent whitepaper showing that most peer reviewers already use AI. Dr Elena Vicario, Director of Research Integrity at Frontiers, emphasized that AI is now embedded across publishing stages and offers unparalleled opportunities to advance discovery. She stated that the industry should provide roadmaps, not roadblocks, to ensure integrity and confidence in AI use, and described the new guidance as a first step toward shaping policy around AI in research publishing.

The framework provides operational routes for AI use across all publishing roles—researchers, editors, and reviewers—promoting accountability, transparency, risk awareness, and innovation. Central to the guidance is the BE WISE framework:

• B — Be transparent

• E — Ensure accountability

• W — Work with the right tools

• I — Inform yourself

• S — Safeguard integrity

• E — Embed equity

The guidelines introduce “permission‑to‑proceed” checkpoints, requiring users to confirm impact and oversight, policies and governance, permitted inputs, and verification before applying AI. If these criteria are not met, AI use should be limited to low‑impact tasks.

Frontiers also provides practical prompts and templates—including governance checks, audit logs, reproducibility prompts, and stage‑specific workflows—designed to embed best practice into daily publishing workflows.

The AI guidance is intended as a living framework that evolves through community feedback. Frontiers has invited researchers, publishers, and industry bodies to collaborate in shaping practical policies that enable responsible AI use, ensuring innovation strengthens trust, transparency, and integrity across the scientific record.