Protocol for the Creation of the Guidelines International Network–McMaster Guideline Development Checklist Extension for Integrating Artificial Intelligence in the Guideline Enterprise (Guidelines‐Artificial Intelligence Extension)

ABSTRACT Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to support processes of the guideline enterprise. To support the adequate preplanning and the transparent reporting of the use of AI in the guideline enterprise, the Guidelines International Network (GIN) proposed the development of an extension of the GIN–McMaster Guideline Development Checklist (GDC) for the use of AI in guidelines. Here we describe the protocol for the development of this extension. Methods We will follow a multiphase approach to generate an extension of the GIN–McMaster GDC. We will start by prompting a large language model to suggest relevant items for the extension. We will subsequently revise the obtained outputs in an iterative process involving the different elements of the working group. This iterative process will be informed by a scoping review. We will then reach different stakeholders to test the proposed checklist extension on their easiness of use, implementation, feasibility and reasonability. Questions This protocol lays the ground for the development of an extension to the GIN–McMaster GDC for the use of AI in guidelines. This extension will support the adequate use of AI in the guideline enterprise. Summary This article describes a protocol for the creation of an extension for the GIN–McMaster Guideline Development Checklist for the use of artificial intelligence in guidelines. The development of the checklist extension will encompass several phases, including a scoping review, interaction of artificial intelligence for preliminary item generation, iterative refinement of the items, internal consensus, user testing and final approval. The checklist extension for the use of artificial intelligence in guidelines will support the adequate use of artificial intelligence in the guideline enterprise.