RSSDI IJDDC position statement on embracing artificial intelligence responsibly in medical research and scientific publication: consensus recommendations for authors, editors, and peer reviewers

Background: The rapid adoption of generative Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly large language models, image generators, and analytics platforms, has opened transformative opportunities in the way medical research is conducted, reported, and evaluated. These tools offer substantial advantages in efficiency, analytical capacity, language equity, and evidence synthesis. When used responsibly, they have the potential to democratize scientific publishing and accelerate knowledge generation, particularly in resource-constrained settings. However, realizing this potential requires clear ethical guardrails. At present, no unified guidance exists that enables Indian researchers in diabetology and metabolic medicine to harness AI confidently while safeguarding scientific integrity. Objective: The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), functioning as a national academic body, has developed this position statement to enable the responsible and confident adoption of AI tools across the entire arc of medical research and scholarly publication, while maintaining the ethical and professional standards that underpin scientific credibility. Methods: This consensus document was developed through a structured review of publicly available AI policies from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE, January 2024 update), Springer Nature, Elsevier, Wiley, SAGE, Taylor & Francis, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI in Biomedical Research and Healthcare (2023). Thematic domains were extracted, compared for convergence, and synthesized into a unified framework. Consensus was achieved through iterative review among the authors. Results: This statement establishes seven core ethical principles: human accountability, transparency and disclosure, data integrity and authenticity, ethical study design and execution, patient confidentiality and data privacy, responsible interpretation, and publication ethics. It provides role-specific guidance for authors, editors, and peer reviewers, with explicit delineation of permitted and prohibited AI uses, mandatory disclosure templates, an image policy aligned with international standards, a violations and sanctions framework, and practical checklists for compliance. Conclusion: This position statement offers a pragmatic, evidence-aligned framework that empowers RSSDI members, journal contributors, reviewers, and editors to use AI tools with confidence and integrity. Rather than restricting technological progress, it provides the ethical infrastructure needed for Indian diabetes researchers to lead in the responsible integration of AI into scholarly practice. It is intended as a living document subject to biannual review.