Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy

This policy applies to authors, editors, reviewers, and other individuals involved in the journal’s publication process. All parties remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, originality, confidentiality, and ethical compliance of their work, regardless of whether an AI-assisted tool has been used.

General Principles

AI and Authorship

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed or cited as authors or co-authors. AI tools cannot meet the journal’s authorship requirements because they cannot take responsibility for the submitted work, approve the final version, disclose conflicts of interest, or be held accountable for the integrity of the article.

Only individuals who satisfy the criteria described in the journal’s Authorship and Contribution Policy may be listed as authors.

Permitted Use by Authors

AI-assisted tools may be used responsibly to support activities such as:

• Improving grammar, spelling, readability, or language quality.
• Assisting with translation, provided the authors verify the accuracy and meaning of the translated text.
• Supporting reference organization or formatting.
• Assisting with computer code, statistical procedures, or data analysis under appropriate human supervision.
• Supporting literature discovery, provided authors examine, verify, and cite the original scholarly sources.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the substantive use of generative AI or other AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation or research. The disclosure should identify:

1. The name of the AI tool and its provider.
2. The version or model, if known.
3. The purpose of its use, such as language editing, coding, analysis, or content generation.
4. The part of the work affected by the use of the tool.
5. The human verification performed by the authors.

Depending on the nature of the use, this information should be included in the Methods, Acknowledgments, or another appropriate section of the manuscript. It may also be submitted through the Comments for the Editor field in the OJS submission system.

Routine tools that only check spelling, grammar, formatting, or reference style generally do not require a detailed disclosure, provided that they do not generate or substantially modify the intellectual content of the manuscript.

Prohibited and Unacceptable Uses

The following uses of AI are not permitted:

• Listing an AI tool as an author or co-author.
• Submitting AI-generated text without appropriate human review and substantive verification.
• Fabricating or falsifying data, results, citations, sources, images, or research procedures.
• Using AI to conceal plagiarism, duplicate publication, image manipulation, or other unethical conduct.
• Allowing AI to replace the authors’ scientific reasoning, interpretation, or responsibility.
• Uploading confidential, sensitive, copyrighted, or personally identifiable information to an AI system without proper authorization and protection.
• Using AI-generated references without verifying the existence, accuracy, and relevance of the original sources.

AI-Generated Data, Images, and Analysis

When AI tools are used in data processing, statistical analysis, computer programming, image analysis, or other parts of the research method, authors must provide sufficient information to enable evaluation and, where possible, replication of the procedure.

The use of AI to generate or modify figures, photographs, illustrations, or research data must be disclosed. AI-assisted modification must not misrepresent the original data, obscure relevant information, or create a misleading interpretation of the research findings.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-generated or AI-assisted materials do not infringe copyright, privacy, confidentiality, or other third-party rights.

References and Source Verification

AI-generated responses should not be treated as authoritative scholarly sources. Authors must consult and cite the original publications, datasets, or other primary sources. Every reference must be checked to confirm that it exists and accurately supports the statement for which it is cited.

Use of AI by Reviewers

Manuscripts received for peer review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, figures, supplementary files, review reports, or unpublished research information to publicly accessible or external AI platforms when confidentiality and data protection cannot be guaranteed.

AI tools must not replace a reviewer’s critical evaluation, specialist expertise, or independent judgment. If the journal permits AI assistance for a particular review, the reviewer must disclose its use to the editor and remains fully responsible for the accuracy, quality, and integrity of the review report.

Use of AI by Editors

Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and must not upload confidential submission materials into AI systems that do not provide adequate privacy and data protection.

AI tools may support limited administrative or technical activities, but they must not make final editorial decisions. Decisions concerning desk rejection, reviewer selection, acceptance, revision, or rejection must remain under the responsibility of qualified human editors.

Undisclosed or Inappropriate AI Use

Suspected undisclosed, misleading, or unethical use of AI will be examined in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics procedures. Depending on the nature and stage of the case, the journal may:

• Request an explanation, disclosure, or correction from the authors.
• Return the manuscript for revision.
• Reject a manuscript before publication.
• Publish a correction, expression of concern, or retraction after publication.
• Contact the authors’ institution when serious research misconduct is suspected.

Relevant cases will be handled under the journal’s Allegations of Research Misconduct and Corrections and Retractions policies.