BMJ Open AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for BMJ Open Authors

Acceptable disclosure language for BMJ Open submissions:

"For our clinical and population-health research evaluated on methodology rather than perceived novelty-focused manuscript at BMJ Open, we used ChatGPT-4o (OpenAI, version dated October 2024) to polish English-language phrasing in the Introduction and Discussion sections. We did not use generative AI for data analysis, figure generation, or substantive manuscript content. All authors reviewed and edited the AI-assisted text and take responsibility for the final manuscript."

Or, for AI-assisted code:

"For this BMJ Open submission addressing clinical and population-health research evaluated on methodology rather than perceived novelty, initial Python code for the Bayesian regression analysis was drafted with Claude 3.5 Sonnet (Anthropic, version dated December 2024). All code was reviewed, modified, and validated by the authors before use; the final version is available at [repository URL]. Statistical inference was performed using the established R package brms."

What is too vague under BMJ's policy:

• For BMJ Open addressing clinical and population-health research evaluated on methodology rather than perceived novelty: "AI tools were used in manuscript preparation." Too vague: BMJ's policy asks for the name of the technology, why it was used, and how it was used

• "We acknowledge AI assistance in the Acknowledgments." (BMJ's policy asks for the acknowledgement in the contributor section, with a fuller Methods description if AI was used in the research.)

• "ChatGPT helped write this paper." (Insufficient detail on use case)

• No disclosure when AI was used (BMJ says content may be rejected or changed after publication on the basis of inadequate declaration)

For BMJ Open-targeted manuscripts, the patterns below are common AI-policy risk areas to check against the publisher's current guidance before submission.

AI disclosure missing despite obvious AI-assisted phrasing. Substantive AI-assisted drafting without a required disclosure can trigger an editorial query. Check whether your manuscript reads as AI-assisted

AI disclosure placed in the wrong manuscript location. BMJ's policy asks for an acknowledgement of AI use in the contributor section and, if AI was used in the research, a fuller description in the Methods. Publisher policies differ on where AI disclosure belongs, so a misplaced disclosure can create an avoidable submission query. Check whether your AI disclosure is in the right section

Generic disclosure language without tool name and use. BMJ's policy asks for what technology was used, why it was used, and how it was used. "AI tools were used" without those specifics does not give the editor what the policy asks for. Check whether your AI disclosure has the required specificity

Source: Manusights internal review of BMJ Open-targeted submissions, 2025 cohort.

BMJ's AI policy framework continues to evolve, and BMJ says it will review the policy as necessary, or every six months until further notice. BMJ Open authors targeting clinical and population-health research evaluated on methodology rather than perceived novelty submissions should track three signals throughout 2026:

Policy reviews from BMJ. BMJ says it will review its AI policy as necessary, or every six months until further notice, and that any proposed significant variation will be discussed with relevant stakeholders. Check the live policy before you submit.

Field-specific clarifications for clinical and population-health research evaluated on methodology rather than perceived novelty. BMJ's policy defines AI broadly, including large language models and other technologies that use machine learning, natural-language processing and similar methods, and it applies to all types of content. Different research domains see different AI use patterns, and authors who err on the side of more disclosure rather than less avoid the publication-ethics gray zone.

Reviewer disclosure norms. BMJ's policy applies the same principles to peer review: reviewers who use AI technology to improve word processing and language should declare this in their reports, and they should not put unpublished manuscripts into publicly available AI tools.

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