COPE Forum 2025: Ethics in the Age of AI
The COPE Forum on 1 July 2025 was a thought-provoking gathering. Dissecting the dilemmas AI brings to the editorial table, the forum spotlighted the evolving challenges – and possibilities – in publication ethics.
Hot Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Publishing
A major theme of the discussion revolved around how AI is reshaping scholarly publishing:
- Generative AI is influencing everything – from research paper drafting to figure creation and peer review.
- Concerns were raised around transparency, quality control, and the ethical boundaries of AI-driven content.
The growing consensus? AI is a collaborator, not a co-author. Most policies and guidelines reject AI tools like ChatGPT being listed as authors, however disclosure statements are encouraged to highlight if an AI tool has been used in the creation of the work.
Ethical Guidance from Key Organizations
COPE, along with STM, WAME and EASE, is developing frameworks to guide responsible AI use:
- Disclosure expectations: Authors must clearly acknowledge any AI assistance in manuscript preparation.
- Classifying AI use: A helpful chart distinguishes acceptable use (editing and formatting text) from questionable practices (generating data or results).
Editors, Reviewers & Publishers – Stay Human, Stay Honest
AI is showing promise in streamlining workflows for editors and reviewers. Largely with a focus on using AI tools for checking the clarity and quality of language use and to support reference checks within manuscripts.
However, reviewers and editors must validate all content themselves. Uploading confidential papers into AI tools could breach trust and privacy and compromise the Publisher by sharing third party data.
The LOCAD Framework: Vetting AI Tools
Before using any AI tool, it is advisable to apply the LOCAD test:
- Limitations: Know the tool’s scope.
- Ownership: Understand rights over the content it generates.
- Confidentiality: Protect sensitive data.
- Accuracy: Validate the information.
- Disclosure: Be upfront about usage.
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Collaborative
The forum concluded on a hopeful note:
“AI should work with us, not instead of us.”
Ethical governance, responsible use, and human creativity must remain the core of scholarly publishing – even as AI becomes a more integrated partner in the process.