Generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or OpenEvidence, can be useful for brainstorming, drafting, or creating visuals. The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style has clear guidelines on how to acknowledge their use in academic and professional work. 

• No. AI tools cannot be listed as authors. 

• AMA Section 5.1.12 and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) make it clear: “Nonhuman artificial intelligence, language models, machine learning, or similar technologies cannot be listed as authors because these technologies do not qualify for authorship.” 

Reference:  Flanagin A, Bibbins-Domingo K, Berkwits M, Christiansen SL. Nonhuman “Authors” and Implications for the Integrity of Scientific Publication and Medical Knowledge. JAMA. Published online January 31, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.1344 

Unlike traditional sources, GenAI use is handled through in-text references and an acknowledgement section, not in the reference list because GenAI does not meet authorship criteria.

Minimum information required for GenAI acknowledgement: 

• Date of use (Month Day, Year) 

• Name of the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, OpenEvidence) 

• Type of communication (e.g., response to a question, online chat) 

In-Text Citation Examples 

• “On September 09, 2025, ChatGPT generates a response to question from author, April 06, 2023…” 

• “On September 09 2025, in an online chat with Copilot…” 

• “On September 09 2025, Claude gave the following response to the question about…” 

If GenAI use is authorized in your assignment and the conditions for its use, and you use GenAI in your work, you must disclose it, 

• You must clearly acknowledge how the tool was used. 

• Be prepared to provide a prompt log if requested. A prompt log is a simple record of the questions you asked a GenAI tool and the full responses it gave.Using GenAI without authorization is considered an academic misconduct under CCNM’s Academic Integrity policy: “using unauthorized means to complete academic work, including the use of artificial intelligence or other methods, in the guise of one’s own work”.

Reference: Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Academic Calendar 2025-2026. Toronto, ON: CCNM. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://ccnm.edu/sites/default/files/2025-08/AC-2025-2026-Aug28-2025.pdf 

Examples of transparent disclosure:

• Writing assistance: “I used the GenAI tool ChatGPT to suggest alternative sentence structures; all content and ideas are my own.” 
• Brainstorming: “I used Claude to generate possible research questions. I selected and developed the final question.”  
• Data/figures: “I used GenAI to suggest a graph layout; I checked the data and built the final chart in Excel.” 
• Image generation: “The figure was created with Midjourney. I ensured accuracy of content and made final edits.”  

According to the ICMJE authorship criteria and the AMA Manual of Style (Sections 5.1.12 and 5.2.1.1), generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors. However, any use of AI must be disclosed transparently in your work.

• Acknowledgments section: If GenAI was used for writing assistance, brainstorming, or editing, describe the use in the Acknowledgments section, which comes after your reference list. (See ICMJE Recommendations Section II.A.3)

• Methods section: If GenAI was used for data analysis, figure creation, or other research processes, describe the use in the Methods section of your paper. (This appears near the beginning of your manuscript or assignment.) (See ICMJE Recommendations Section IV.A.3.d)​​​​​​​

Best practice:
If you use GenAI, acknowledge it honestly in the section appropriate to its role:

• In the Acknowledgments and/or Methods section, note the tool, date, and type of contribution.

• Keep a record of each prompt/question you entered and the AI tool’s response. This record may be included in an Acknowledgement after your reference list, if required.

  • The date 

  • Each prompt/question you entered 

  • The AI tool’s response 

This approach models best practices in research and assignments, ensuring transparency and integrity in line with AMA and ICMJE guidance.

Reference:

AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th ed. Oxford University Press; 2020. Accessed December 20, 2024. https://academic-oup-com.ccnm.idm.oclc.org/amamanualofstyle 

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Defining the role of authors and contributors. ICMJE Recommendations. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html 

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf

AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th ed. Oxford University Press; 2020. Accessed December 20, 2024. https://academic-oup-com.ccnm.idm.oclc.org/amamanualofstyle 

Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Academic Calendar 2025-2026. Toronto, ON: CCNM. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://ccnm.edu/sites/default/files/2025-08/AC-2025-2026-Aug28-2025.pdf  

Flanagin, Annette, ' Ethical and Legal Considerations', AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, 11th ed. (New York, 2020; online edn, AMA Manual of Style, 3 Feb. 2020), https://doi-org.ccnm.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/jama/9780190246556.003.0005, accessed 8 Sept. 2025.  

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Defining the role of authors and contributors. ICMJE Recommendations. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html