Endorsement of artificial intelligence guidelines across leading obstetrics and gynecology journals: A preliminary cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming research in Obstetrics and Gynecology by advancing data analysis, facilitating systematic reviews, and enhancing clinical applications. However, its adoption raises concerns related to transparency, ethical considerations, and reproducibility. This study investigates how leading Obstetrics and Gynecology journals address these concerns and opportunities through their author instructions and editorial policies.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on the top 100 peer-reviewed Obstetrics and Gynecology journals, ranked by the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Information was collected from each journal's "Instructions for Authors" to assess AI-related policies, including specific guidelines for reporting AI use, authorship criteria, and the role of AI in manuscript development and image creation. Correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between AI-related policies and the journals’ characteristics.Results: Among the 100 journals reviewed, 92% included guidance on AI usage in their author instructions. Most journals prohibited AI authorship while mandating disclosure of AI involvement in manuscript submissions. While 14% of the journals allowed AI-generated content, only 7% permitted AIgenerated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to have detailed AI policies, although there were notable gaps in standardization and clarity.Conclusion: Although many Obstetrics and Gynecology journals recognize the growing influence of AI in research, few have implemented specific AI reporting guidelines (RGs), limiting the consistency and transparency of AI usage. We advocate for the development of robust and standardized guidelines to ensure that research remains ethical, reproducible, and of high quality in this new era of AI innovation