GAMER Statement: A New Era of Transparency in Medical AI Research

The rapid use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools into medical research has generated new possibilities. They are being used to improve the processes involved in medical research like those of data analysis, manuscript preparation, literature review, . While the use of GAI tools on medical research has proven to be helpful, they have also given rise to new issues such as transparency, academic integrity, and reproducibility [1]. Amidst the rise of these concerns, the GAMER Statement (Generative Artificial intelligence tools in MEdical Research) has been introduced.  GAMER statement is a pioneering reporting guideline, developed by 51 experts from 26 countries, to standardize the use of GAI in all phases of medical research. The GAMER guidelines provide a comprehensive 9-item checklist to ensure transparency and integrity in medical AI research. The checklist covers critical aspects including GAI tool specifications, prompting techniques, AI’s role in the study, content verification, and potential impact on research conclusions [2]

The guidelines directly address key challenges in medical AI, such as potential academic fraud, data privacy concerns, and the risk of generating unreliable content. By establishing universal reporting standards, GAMER aims to enhance the scientific rigor and trustworthiness of AI-assisted medical research [2].

Why GAMER Matters

As GAI has become increasingly embedded in various steps of medical research, the lack of a standardized reporting for these technologies is becoming a glaring issue [3]. More researchers are relying on GAI tools, yet most of them are not disclosing it. Futher, there are several concerns about reproducibility, data integrity, and ethical transparency over the use of GAI tools. While GAI tools are being used increasingly without any regulation or accountability, they raise several serious concerns such as [3,5].

• Plagiarism and academic fraud due to unverifiable AI-generated content
• Data privacy risks from sharing sensitive information with third-party tools
• Inconsistent reporting across journals and institutions

GAMER provides a clear, consensus-driven framework for researchers to disclose how, when, and why they use GAI tools. It promotes accountability and methodological clarity, helping safeguard scientific rigor and build trust amongst researchers, reviewers, and the public, as the influence of AI on evidence generation continues to grow [3,4].

Even though CONSORT-AI and STARD-AI address AI in specific contexts, they fall short of covering GAI’s unique challenges, especially its role in generating content and influencing study conclusions [3].

Without standardized reporting, stakeholders face challenges in evaluating the safety and effectiveness of AI applications. The lack of transparency can erode public trust and hinder the ethical integration of AI into healthcare [5].

What GAMER adds

GAMER introduces a nine-item checklist that guides authors in transparently reporting GAI use across all phases of research [3]. These items include:

1. General declaration of GAI tool usage
2. Tool specifications (name, version, usage dates)
3. Prompting techniques and unedited responses
4. Disclosure of new or fine-tuned models
5. Tool’s role in study phases
6. AI-assisted manuscript sections
7. Content verification methods
8. Data privacy safeguards
9. Impact on study conclusions

This comprehensive approach ensures that GAI contributions are clearly documented, helping reviewers and readers assess the reliability of the research.

Global Impact

The GAMER Checklist is poised to reshape the global landscape of medical research by establishing a universal standard for reporting the use of generative AI tools. Its adoption will empower researchers, journal editors, and institutions to uphold transparency, reproducibility, and ethical accountability, regardless of local regulations or technological maturity.  As journals begin to integrate GAMER into their submission protocols, the checklist is expected to elevate the quality and credibility of AI-assisted research worldwide, setting a precedent for responsible innovation in healthcare and beyond [3].

GAMER is more than a checklist; it’s a movement toward responsible AI integration in medicine. By encouraging journals to adopt GAMER as a minimum reporting standard, the initiative aims to promote ethical and transparent GAI use, enhance reproducibility and trust in medical research and foster global collaboration and standardization [3]

Conclusions

The GAMER Statement marks a pivotal advancement in the responsible use of generative AI within medical research. By offering a clear, standardized framework for disclosure, it addresses the pressing challenges of transparency, reproducibility, and ethical accountability that have emerged alongside the rapid adoption of AI technologies. As the medical research community embraces this guideline, it not only safeguards the credibility of AI-assisted studies but also fosters a culture of openness and trust—ushering in a new era where innovation and accountability go hand in hand.

References

1. Bhuyan SS, Sateesh V, Mukul N, et al. Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Healthcare: Opportunities for Clinical Excellence and Administrative Efficiency. J Med Syst. 2025;49(1):10.
2. Luo X, Tham YC, Daher M, et al. Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools in Medical Research (GAMER): Protocol for a Scoping Review and Development of Reporting Guidelines. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025;14: e64640.
3. Luo X, Tham YC, Giuffrè M, et al. Reporting guideline for the use of Generative Artificial intelligence tools in MEdical Research: the GAMER Statement. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. doi: 10.1136/bmjebm-2025-113825
4. Eacersall D, Pretorius L, Smirnov I, et al. Navigating Ethical Challenges in Generative AI-Enhanced Research: The ETHICAL Framework for Responsible Generative AI Use. arXiv. Published December 11, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2025. https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.09021
5. Kolbinger FR, Veldhuizen GP, Zhu J, Truhn D, Kather JN. Reporting guidelines in medical artificial intelligence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Commun Med (Lond). 2024;4(1):71. Published 2024 Apr 11. doi:10.1038/s43856-024-00492-0

Authors:

Sweaksha Langoo (MSc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry)
Scientific Writer – Enago Life Sciences
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