Challenging the dogma: why reviewers should be allowed to use AI tools

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance rapidly, the central question is no longer whether it will be integrated into peer review, but rather how its use can be effectively managed and harnessed to ensure fairness to authors while enhancing the efficiency and value of the editorial process. Several practical considerations lead to a simple conclusion. AI should be permitted in peer-review, not clandestinely, but openly, under safeguards that protect confidentiality and preserve human judgment. A policy framework emphasizing confidentiality, transparency, and scope limits, remains valuable, but must be refined. A workable approach should include four key principles, i.e., secure infrastructure, flexible disclosure, human primacy, and parity with authors.