In response to the surge in ChatGPT's popularity among researchers, a group led by Giovanni Cacciamani, a professor of urology research, is set to release comprehensive guidelines for the ethical use of AI in academic publishing. The initiative, known as the ChatGPT, Generative Artificial Intelligence, and Natural Large Language Models for Accountable Reporting and Use Guidelines, or CANGARU Guidelines, aims to address the current lack of consistency among publishers and journals regarding AI use in research.
Amidst varying stances adopted by different publishers, ranging from limiting AI use in manuscript preparation to outright bans, CANGARU seeks to provide a standardized set of guidelines to streamline the dos and don'ts of AI use in scholarly publishing. The guidelines will offer clear instructions on ethical practices and disclosure templates for authors utilizing AI in their manuscripts.
Cacciamani emphasizes that the CANGARU Guidelines will play a crucial role in offering clarity to the scientific community, preventing confusion, and ensuring a consistent approach across academic publishing. The group, composed of experts in the field, has collaborated with publishers, journal editors, and regulatory bodies, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), to draft the guidelines based on existing AI-related policies and survey results.
To enhance inclusivity, the team has invited feedback from over 100,000 published scientists, anticipating widespread industry endorsement once the guidelines are published in early 2024. Despite other ongoing initiatives seeking to standardize AI-related guidance, CANGARU is poised to make a significant impact by providing a cohesive and widely accepted framework for AI use in academic research and publishing.
