KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Nature has banned the inclusion of AI-generated visual content in publications due to concerns about transparency, attribution, privacy, and copyright.
• The decision aims to protect research integrity, preserve content creators’ rights, and strengthen the fight against false information.

Nature has decided to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of visual content, including photographs, illustrations, and videos. The decision comes amidst ever-increasing use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, and the discussions about their possible benefits and limitations.

As outlined in a recent Editorial, the decision was driven by 5 primary concerns:

• Inability to verify: existing AI tools do not disclose their sources, making it impossible to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the generated content.
• Lack of attribution: generative AI tools do not properly acknowledge the creators of the works they use or reference, disregarding the essential practice of giving credit where it is due.
• Violation of copyright laws: generative AI systems often rely on copyrighted works without proper authorisation, infringing upon the rights of artists and content creators.
• Invasion of privacy: generative AI tools can be used to create realistic depictions of individuals (such as ‘deepfakes’) without their explicit consent, leading to ethical issues and potential legal consequences.
• Spread of misinformation: the generation of ‘deepfakes’ contributes to the dissemination of false information, creating confusion and eroding trust in authentic data.

While the journal will continue to allow the use of generative AI in text creation, subject to proper documentation and attribution, generative AI tools will not be accepted as credited authors on research papers.

Nature’s firm stance against AI-generated visuals underscores the need to weigh the creative benefits of generative AI tools against the potential risks to research integrity and content creators.

Nature’s firm stance against AI-generated visuals underscores the need to weigh the creative benefits of generative AI tools against the potential risks to research integrity and content creators. As the scientific community embraces AI, it will be crucial to establish ethical frameworks and transparent practices to ensure responsible use of this technology while upholding the principles of authenticity and creativity.

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