Oxford University Press AI Guidelines
Last updated: April 1, 2026
Check AI policies for below classifications
Refinement, correction, editing or formatting the manuscript to improve clarity of language
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press permits authors to use assistive AI tools for language-focused corrections such as checking grammar, spelling, and syntax, and this use does not need to be disclosed via the AI Use Declaration form. For other uses of GenAI tools in preparing a chapter, article, or book, authors must provide a detailed statement at manuscript submission describing where and how each tool was used, the tool and version, the justification, and the steps taken to validate output accuracy. Any GenAI use within the work must also be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in footnotes or endnotes. The policy makes validation of outputs a required step for other GenAI uses, but does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- The use of assistive AI tools for checking grammar, spelling, and syntax is permitted and does not need to be disclosed via this form. At manuscript submission, you must provide a detailed statement, specifying the location in the text of each use, the tool used and in which version, the manner of its use, the justification for using the tool, and the steps you have taken to validate the accuracy of its outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in- text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
Source
AI Status
Writing or drafting manuscript content
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press states that generative AI should not be used to carry out primary author responsibilities, including generating arguments or scientific insights, writing analysis, or drawing conclusions. Authors must receive written permission from OUP to submit generative AI-created content as part of their submission. Any use, or proposed use, of generative AI for content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to the Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion (whether during proposal submission, research, or manuscript writing), and any use within the work must be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in footnotes or endnotes following the appropriate referencing convention. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Gen AI does not qualify as an author and should not be used to undertake primary authorial responsibilities, such as generating arguments and scientific insights, writing analysis, or drawing conclusions. Authors must receive written permission from OUP to deliver Gen AI-created content (including the collection and analysis of data or the production of graphical elements of the text) as part of their submission. The use, or proposed use, of any Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to your Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion, whether proposal submission, research, or manuscript writing. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in- text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
AI Status
Translation of manuscript text for the purpose of publishing
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press indicates that, in most cases, authors can use Gen AI tools to support preparing their work by vetting translations. However, any use (or proposed use) of a Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to the Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion, and authors must also provide a detailed statement at manuscript submission describing each use and the validation steps taken. Any such use within the submitted work must also be clearly acknowledged in the text and/or in notes, following the appropriate referencing convention. The policy requires authors to validate the accuracy of Gen AI outputs by specifying the steps taken, but does not otherwise describe additional human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- They can, in most cases, safely be used to support the preparation of your work, for example in providing alt-text for images, flagging errors in grammar and spelling, vetting translations, checking references, generating abstracts and keywords, or creating a list of index headwords. The use, or proposed use, of any Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to your Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion, whether proposal submission, research, or manuscript writing. At manuscript submission, you must provide a detailed statement, specifying the location in the text of each use, the tool used and in which version, the manner of its use, the justification for using the tool, and the steps you have taken to validate the accuracy of its outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in- text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
AI Status
Refining or formatting of data reported in the manuscript
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press requires authors to obtain written permission to submit Gen AI-created content, including content such as the collection and analysis of data. Any use, or proposed use, of a Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to the Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion. At manuscript submission, authors must provide a detailed statement describing where and how each tool was used, the tool and version, the justification for using it, and the steps taken to validate output accuracy. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- Authors must receive written permission from OUP to deliver Gen AI-created content (including the collection and analysis of data or the production of graphical elements of the text) as part of their submission. The use, or proposed use, of any Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to your Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion, whether proposal submission, research, or manuscript writing. At manuscript submission, you must provide a detailed statement, specifying the location in the text of each use, the tool used and in which version, the manner of its use, the justification for using the tool, and the steps you have taken to validate the accuracy of its outputs. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their works, including any Gen AI-created content these works may contain.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of images, diagrams or other figures for illustrative purposes only
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press states that authors must obtain written permission from OUP to submit Gen AI-created content, including the production of graphical elements of the text. If authors wish to include an example of AI-created work, they must first discuss this with their Acquisitions Editor, and any such inclusions must be disclosed in detail and clearly acknowledged in the published work, including the steps taken to vet the outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within a chapter, article, or book must also be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in footnotes or endnotes following the appropriate referencing convention. Human review is required to the extent that authors must vet AI outputs and disclose the steps taken to do so.
Evidence
- Authors must receive written permission from OUP to deliver Gen AI-created content (including the collection and analysis of data or the production of graphical elements of the text) as part of their submission. If you are writing about AI and wish to include an example of AI-created work, please discuss with your Acquisitions Editor in the first instance. Any such inclusions must be disclosed in detail and clearly acknowledged in the published work, along with the steps taken to vet those outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in- text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
AI Status
Generation, refinement, correction, editing or formatting of visualisations of research data or results
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press requires authors to obtain written permission if they want to include Gen AI-created outputs in submitted content that involve the collection and analysis of data or the production of graphical elements such as charts, graphs, or tables. At manuscript submission, authors must provide a detailed statement describing each use of Gen AI (including where it appears, the tool and version, how and why it was used, and the steps taken to validate output accuracy). Any use of Gen AI tools in a chapter, article, or book must also be clearly acknowledged in the text and/or in footnotes or endnotes. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.
Evidence
- If you wish for Gen AI-created outputs to be included in your submitted content, for example, the collection and analysis of data, or the production of graphical elements (for example, charts, graphs, or tables), you must receive written permission from OUP to deliver such content as part of your submission. At manuscript submission, you must provide a detailed statement, specifying the location in the text of each use, the tool used and in which version, the manner of its use, the justification for using the tool, and the steps you have taken to validate the accuracy of its outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in- text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
AI Status
Refinement or formatting of code reported in the submitted manuscript
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press does not set out a code-specific policy for refining or formatting code in submitted manuscripts. However, OUP's journal policy states that the use of AI to help generate content, write code, or process data must be disclosed both in cover letters to editors and in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of manuscripts. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their works.
Evidence
- The use of AI (for example, to help generate content or images, write code, process data, or for translation) must be disclosed both in cover letters to editors and in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of manuscripts. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their works, including any Gen AI-created content these works may contain.
Source
AI Status
Assisting with gathering references
Policy Summary
Oxford University Press indicates that Gen AI tools can, in most cases, be used to support manuscript preparation activities such as checking references. At manuscript submission, authors must provide a detailed statement describing each use of the tool, including where it appears in the text, the tool and version, how and why it was used, and what steps were taken to validate the tool's outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools must also be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in footnotes or endnotes.
Evidence
- They can, in most cases, safely be used to support the preparation of your work, for example in providing alt-text for images, flagging errors in grammar and spelling, vetting translations, checking references, generating abstracts and keywords, or creating a list of index headwords. At manuscript submission, you must provide a detailed statement, specifying the location in the text of each use, the tool used and in which version, the manner of its use, the justification for using the tool, and the steps you have taken to validate the accuracy of its outputs. Any use of Gen AI tools within your chapter, article, or book, must also be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in footnotes or endnotes, following the appropriate referencing convention.
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
Oxford University Press requires transparency about any use of Gen AI tools in content generation or preparation. Authors must disclose proposed or actual Gen AI use in detail to their Acquisitions Editor early in the process, and any Gen AI use within the work must be clearly acknowledged in-text and/or in notes. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work, including any Gen AI-created content, and are liable for any resulting breaches including inaccuracy, hallucination, lack of attribution, inadvertent plagiarism, and bias.
Evidence
- We place emphasis on the responsible and transparent use of Gen AI tools. The use, or proposed use, of any Gen AI tool in content generation or preparation must be disclosed in detail to your Acquisitions Editor at the earliest stage of discussion. Authors remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their works, including any Gen AI-created content these works may contain. Authors are therefore liable for any breach of publication or research ethics from their use of Gen AI tools. This includes inaccuracy, 'hallucination', a lack of full attribution and referencing, inadvertent plagiarism, and bias.
AI Status
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