The journal recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies can support various stages of research and scholarly writing. However, their use must be transparent, responsible, and consistent with the principles of academic integrity, research ethics, and publication accountability. This policy establishes the requirements for the use and disclosure of generative AI tools in manuscripts submitted to or published by the journal.

Acceptable Use of Generative AI

Authors may use generative AI tools to assist with language improvement, grammar correction, translation, organization of ideas, and other supportive tasks. The use of such tools must not compromise the originality, accuracy, validity, or integrity of the research. Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including any text, data, analysis, references, images, or other materials generated or modified with AI assistance.

AI-generated content must be carefully reviewed and verified by the authors before submission. Authors must ensure that all statements are accurate, references are genuine and relevant, and the reported research findings are supported by appropriate evidence. AI tools must not be used to fabricate or falsify data, generate misleading research results, manipulate images in a deceptive manner, or misrepresent the originality of scholarly work.

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI tools when these tools have contributed substantively to the preparation, analysis, interpretation, or presentation of the manuscript. The disclosure should identify the tool used, explain its purpose, and describe the extent of its contribution. Routine spelling, grammar, and basic language correction may be treated differently where permitted by the journal's submission requirements; authors should follow any specific disclosure instructions provided by the journal.

A disclosure statement may be included in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgments or a dedicated declaration section. Authors must not claim that a manuscript was prepared entirely without AI assistance if generative AI tools were used in ways that require disclosure under this policy.

Authorship and Accountability

Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot take responsibility for the accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, or integrity of the work. Authorship is reserved for individuals who meet the journal's authorship requirements. Authors are accountable for all submitted content, including material produced with the assistance of AI tools, and must be able to explain and defend the methods, findings, and conclusions presented in their manuscripts.

Use of AI in Research Data and Analysis

Authors must clearly explain the use of AI tools when they form part of the research methodology, data processing, analytical procedures, model development, or experimental evaluation. Relevant information should be reported in sufficient detail to enable readers and reviewers to understand the role of the tools and assess the reliability of the research. AI-generated data, outputs, or interpretations must not be presented as independently verified evidence without appropriate validation.

Authors must also consider confidentiality, privacy, copyright, data protection, and any applicable ethical requirements before submitting unpublished manuscripts, confidential research information, personal data, or restricted materials to third-party AI platforms.

Use of AI by Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and editorial communications. They should not upload unpublished manuscripts, confidential review reports, or identifiable author information to external generative AI services unless the journal has explicitly authorized the practice and appropriate confidentiality and data-protection safeguards are in place.

AI tools must not replace the independent scholarly judgment of reviewers or editors. Reviewers remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and relevance of their evaluations, while editors retain full responsibility for editorial decisions. Any use of AI in editorial activities must comply with the journal's confidentiality requirements and applicable publication ethics standards.

Prohibited Practices

The following practices are not permitted:

• Listing a generative AI tool as an author or co-author.
• Using AI to fabricate or falsify research data, results, references, citations, or evidence.
• Submitting AI-generated material without required disclosure or presenting it misleadingly as verified original work.
• Using AI-generated references without checking that the cited sources exist and support the relevant claims.
• Using AI to manipulate research images, figures, or other evidence in a deceptive or misleading manner.
• Violating confidentiality, privacy, copyright, or data-protection obligations through the use of AI tools.
• Relying on AI-generated reviews or editorial recommendations without appropriate human assessment and accountability.

Editorial Assessment and Policy Violations

The editorial team may request clarification about the use of generative AI tools when necessary. Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI will be assessed in accordance with the nature and seriousness of the concern, the available evidence, and the journal's publication ethics policies. Where a violation is established, the journal may request revisions, reject a manuscript, issue a correction, retract a published article, or take other appropriate action consistent with its editorial procedures.

Commitment to Responsible AI Use

The journal supports the responsible use of generative AI as a supplementary tool in scholarly research and communication. Transparency, human oversight, verifiability, and author accountability remain essential. This policy may be updated as AI technologies, scholarly publishing practices, and recognized publication ethics guidance continue to evolve.