Generative AI Policy
1. Purpose and Scope
This policy ensures transparency and integrity in scholarly publishing by defining acceptable use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Grammarly) during manuscript preparation, submission, and peer review for this journal.
2. Key Principles
- Human Accountability: GenAI tools cannot be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content, including any parts generated or assisted by AI.
- Transparency:
- Mandatory Disclosure: Any use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) must be disclosed clearly in the manuscript (e.g., in Methods or Acknowledgments), specifying:
- Tool(s) used
- Purpose of use (e.g., drafting text, idea generation)
- Sections affected
- Optional Disclosure: Use of basic language tools (e.g., Grammarly) for grammar and style correction does not require disclosure, but authors may choose to disclose for transparency.
- Mandatory Disclosure: Any use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) must be disclosed clearly in the manuscript (e.g., in Methods or Acknowledgments), specifying:
- Ethical Use: GenAI must not be used to fabricate data, manipulate images, or create misleading content. AI-generated references must be verified for accuracy.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Authors must not input confidential data, unpublished manuscripts, or personally identifiable information into GenAI tools.
- Peer Review: Reviewers and editors must not use GenAI tools for substantive evaluation of manuscripts. Limited use for improving language clarity in comments (e.g., Grammarly) is permitted only under strict confidentiality.
3. Permitted Uses
- Language improvement and grammar correction (e.g., Grammarly)
- Drafting summaries or outlines under human supervision
- Generating figures or graphics only if disclosed and verified
4. Prohibited Uses
- Listing AI as an author
- Using AI to generate entire manuscripts without human oversight
- Creating or altering research data, results, or copyrighted images
5. Disclosure Statement Example
“Portions of this manuscript were assisted by [Tool Name, Version] for [specific purpose, e.g., drafting introduction]. The authors have verified the accuracy and originality of all content.”
6. Compliance
Failure to disclose generative AI use or misuse of GenAI tools may result in rejection, retraction, or reporting to relevant institutions, in accordance with COPE guidelines.
