INSF Guideline for the Use of AI Tools in Research

With the aim of safeguarding scientific ethics and regulating the use of modern technologies, the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) approved a comprehensive guideline for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research on September 19, 2025.

This document is to be reviewed every six months and revised as needed to remain aligned with rapid scientific and technological developments.

Developed in collaboration with researchers and relevant institutions, the guideline allows the use of AI tools at all stages of research—from the design and preparation of research proposals to project implementation, data analysis, report writing, and even the review process—provided that ethical standards and principles of transparency are observed.

According to the guideline, researchers are required to disclose the type and extent of AI use in their proposals and final reports. This disclosure must include the name of the tool, its version, the date of use, and a description of its role in different stages of the research. For example, if AI has been used for text generation or data analysis, it is mandatory to cite the source, describe the review process, and explain the validation method.

One of the key points emphasized in the guideline is researcher accountability. Researchers cannot delegate responsibility for the scientific accuracy of their content or results to AI and remain fully responsible for the quality and credibility of their work. In other words, AI is an assistive tool and cannot replace human scientific judgment.

The guideline also defines the responsibilities of reviewers and supervisors. They must ensure that AI use is properly reported and that it does not violate research ethics. In case of ambiguity, reviewers are allowed to request further clarification or credible sources from researchers. The guideline also advises reviewers to remain impartial toward the use or non-use of AI and to base their evaluations solely on scientific and ethical standards.

The INSF guideline was inspired by international experiences and credible ethics documents, including but not limited to the EU frameworks and the Global Research Council (GRC). At the same time, its content has been adapted to Iran’s local needs under the supervision of the Iran National Science Foundation.

The main goal of INSF in approving this guideline is “the responsible use of AI’s potential in the service of advancing research.” The careful implementation of this document can help prevent issues such as plagiarism, privacy violations, and the dissemination of incorrect data.

The guideline can be downloaded from this link (in Persian).