The mission of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) is to preserve the integrity of scientific advancements that improve public health in the U.S. and across the globe. In September 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct regulation, 42 CFR Part 93, in part to address recent technological advancements. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is one such advancement that has contributed to scientific breakthroughs and has the potential to contribute to many more. However, generative AI can also be misused, including in ways that constitute research misconduct. ORI has released guidance for institutions as they navigate research misconduct proceedings involving generative AI.
What is in ORI’s Generative AI Guidance?
Researchers work in rapidly evolving fields and need clear, flexible, and transparent guidance to manage emerging concerns. This guidance document covers several areas addressed by the updated regulation as it relates to the use of generative AI in research misconduct proceedings, including:
- Identifying whether research falls within the accepted practices of the relevant research community, regardless of how generative AI is used
- Determining whether research misconduct is proven by the preponderance of evidence beyond the use of AI detectors alone
- Disclosing the use of generative AI to promote transparency in methods in papers and grant applications
What Institutions Can Do
ORI does not require institutional policies and procedures to address generative AI use. However, institutional policies addressing generative AI use may assist committee members as they adjudicate research misconduct cases. PHS funding agencies also maintain and are continuing to develop generative AI use policies, and institutions should be aware of these policies, because they may inform accepted practices in some research communities.
To access this guidance on the use of generative AI and stay updated on the release of other guidance documents, please visit our guidance webpage or contact AskORI@hhs.gov for any inquiries.
