Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

1. Purpose

While the health research field adapts to the use of AI, SEA DREAM requires this to be declared when applying for grant funding except where it is used to help with language.

2. Scope and Definitions

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence which can be used to create new content (for example, text, code, images, videos or music referred to as output). AI uses machine learning algorithms to model and to train on large data sets.  

Hallucinations are outputs which may initially appear to be believable but are in fact highly inaccurate or fabricated including, but not limited to, references that sound plausible but don’t exist.

3. What we expect from researchers and organisations 

Researchers must disclose any use of generative AI on their application form except where it has been used for:

• translating applications from other languages to English and/or
• improving the standard of English used in applications

SEA DREAM gathers information on generative AI use for transparency and monitoring purposes, but it does not affect the assessment process. However, researchers are responsible for the content of their applications. They must:

• be honest, transparent and accountable about the use of generative AI tools in their application
• protect confidential information and personal data by not inputting it into generative AI tools
• ensure the outputs from generative AI tools used in their applications are valid (this includes removing any false, misleading or hallucinated information)
• be aware of third-party intellectual property rights (where the rights to the material belong to someone else) when using AI tools in an application and only use information from third party sources with consent from the relevant copyright holder

On top of that, organisations must provide guidance to their staff on how to use AI responsibly. Preferably, organisations that plan to integrate AI into any part of their research should develop — or update existing — policies or guidelines to keep pace with technological advances in the AI field. These policies should govern the use of AI in research and include a monitoring plan to ensure compliance, as well as a clear set of disciplinary actions for cases where AI-related fabrication or falsification is detected in order to uphold research integrity.

Having said that, SEA DREAM does not preclude the use of AI, including Generative AI, in the proposed research activities. A growing body of evidence highlights the value of AI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and outcome prediction. However, grant applicants are required to explicitly mention which aspects of their research will involve AI and detail how the technology will be applied. In addition, applicants must ensure that datasets used in AI research are representative of diverse populations and incorporate lived experience to avoid reinforcing bias and to support equitable outcomes. Failure to account for these considerations may lead to harmful impacts, weakens accountability and undermines public trust in research. Therefore, researchers must provide a concrete plan on how they will mitigate the foreseeable negative impacts that may arise from using AI in health research in their applications.

4. What we expect from our expert reviewers and committee members

Expert reviewers and advisory panel members must not input any content from our confidential grant applications or reviews into, or otherwise use, generative AI tools to develop their expert review feedback. Doing this breaches the confidentiality agreement that expert reviewers and advisory panel members agree to. If they are identified to have used generative AI to develop their assessment, the following actions will be taken:

• for reviewers, the review they have provided will not be used
• for panelists, the comments they have provided may not be used to inform the funding decision

5. SEA DREAM’s use of generative AI when processing and assessing grant applications

SEA DREAM does not use generative AI tools to make decisions on grant applications. While SEA DREAM staff have access to our own instance of a generative AI tool and a limited number of other AI tools which may be used for purposes unrelated to the application process, information from applications will not be entered into these.