Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Policy

Jurnal Sifo Mikroskil (JSM) recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), in academic research and scholarly publishing. AI technologies can support researchers in manuscript preparation, language improvement, programming, data analysis, and other research-related activities.

JSM supports the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies while maintaining academic integrity, originality, transparency, confidentiality, and accountability in scholarly publications.

This policy establishes guidelines for authors, reviewers, and editors regarding the appropriate use of AI and AI-assisted technologies throughout the research and publication process.

1. Scope of AI and AI-Assisted Technologies

This policy applies to Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies used in the preparation, evaluation, and publication of scholarly manuscripts.

These technologies include, but are not limited to:

Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and similar tools.
AI-assisted writing, grammar correction, translation, and language editing tools.
AI-based programming and code-generation assistants.
AI-assisted literature searching, summarization, and information retrieval tools.
AI-powered data analysis and visualization tools.
AI-based image, diagram, and content-generation applications.

This policy primarily addresses the responsible use of AI in scholarly publishing and does not prohibit the legitimate use of AI algorithms, machine learning, or deep learning as part of the research methodology.

2. Guidelines for Authors

2.1. Permissible Use of AI

Authors may use AI and AI-assisted technologies to support the research and manuscript preparation process, provided that their use is appropriate, transparent, and subject to human supervision.

Permissible applications include:

Improving grammar, spelling, readability, and language clarity.
Assisting with manuscript organization and formatting.
Supporting preliminary literature searches and identifying relevant research topics.
Assisting with programming, code development, and debugging.
Supporting data processing, statistical analysis, and visualization.
Assisting with translation, provided that the results are carefully reviewed and validated by the authors.
Generating preliminary ideas, outlines, or suggestions that are critically evaluated and developed by the authors.

All AI-generated or AI-assisted outputs must be carefully reviewed, verified, and edited to ensure accuracy, originality, and compliance with academic standards.

The use of AI must support, rather than replace, the authors' intellectual contributions and scientific judgment.

2.2. Prohibited Use of AI

Authors must not use AI technologies in ways that compromise academic integrity or misrepresent the originality and reliability of their research.

Prohibited practices include:

Generating an entire manuscript or substantial research content without meaningful intellectual contribution, critical evaluation, and verification by the authors.
Fabricating, falsifying, or manipulating research data, experimental results, references, or findings.
Generating fictitious citations, references, or scholarly sources.
Presenting AI-generated information as verified research evidence without appropriate validation.
Using AI tools to paraphrase or reproduce copyrighted material in ways that constitute plagiarism.
Generating or modifying research images, figures, or data in a misleading or deceptive manner.
Uploading confidential, sensitive, or personally identifiable research information to AI services without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
Concealing substantial AI involvement when disclosure is required.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted materials do not violate intellectual property rights, privacy regulations, or other applicable ethical requirements.

2.3. Authorship and Accountability

AI tools and AI-assisted technologies cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to JSM.

Authorship requires intellectual contribution, accountability, and responsibility for the integrity of the research, which cannot be assigned to AI systems.

All listed authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including any text, code, data analysis, images, or other materials generated or assisted by AI technologies.

Authors must independently verify the accuracy, relevance, originality, and reliability of AI-generated content before incorporating it into their manuscripts.

2.4. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must transparently disclose substantial use of Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the research or manuscript preparation process.

The disclosure should provide sufficient information to explain:

The name of the AI tool or technology used.
The purpose of using the AI tool.
The specific research or manuscript preparation activities supported by AI.
The extent of human review, verification, and modification of AI-generated outputs.

Routine spelling, grammar, and basic formatting assistance does not ordinarily require formal disclosure when it does not materially affect the intellectual content of the manuscript.

However, AI assistance involving substantive text generation, programming, research analysis, interpretation, or generation of scholarly content must be disclosed.

Authors must ensure that their declarations accurately reflect how AI technologies were used.

2.5. Placement of AI Disclosure

The disclosure of AI use should be included in an appropriate section of the manuscript, depending on the nature of its application.

Methods Section: When AI is used for data collection, processing, analysis, programming, modeling, or other research methodologies.
Acknowledgments Section: When AI provides substantial assistance with manuscript preparation or language development.
Declaration of AI Use: A separate declaration may be provided to clearly describe the use of AI technologies.

Authors may use the following statement as a reference:

Example of AI Disclosure Statement:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [AI tool name] to assist with [specific purpose]. All AI-assisted outputs were carefully reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript."

If AI technologies were not used in a manner requiring disclosure, a separate AI declaration is not mandatory unless requested by the editorial team.

2.6. AI in Data Analysis and Research Methodology

JSM recognizes that Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and related computational technologies may form an essential part of research methodologies within the journal's scope.

The use of AI as a research method is permitted and should be described clearly in the manuscript.

Authors should provide sufficient information regarding the algorithms, models, datasets, experimental procedures, and evaluation methods used to ensure methodological transparency and research reproducibility.

When externally developed AI tools or models are used, authors should identify the relevant technologies and describe their roles in the research.

All research results, interpretations, and conclusions must be critically evaluated and validated by the authors.

2.7. AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Visual Content

Authors must ensure that all images, figures, diagrams, and visual materials included in their manuscripts accurately represent the research and do not mislead readers.

AI-assisted visualization may be used when appropriate, provided that the resulting materials are scientifically accurate, properly reviewed, and clearly identified when necessary.

The use of AI to fabricate experimental evidence, manipulate research findings, or misrepresent original data is strictly prohibited.

Authors may be requested to provide original images, underlying data, or supporting documentation when questions arise regarding the authenticity or integrity of submitted visual materials.

3. Guidelines for Reviewers

3.1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts and related materials received during the peer review process.

Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts, unpublished research data, or confidential editorial communications to external Generative AI platforms when confidentiality and data protection cannot be assured.

Any use of AI involving confidential manuscript information requires prior authorization from the editorial team and appropriate protection of the authors' intellectual property.

3.2. AI-Assisted Peer Review

Peer review must be based on the reviewer's independent academic expertise, professional judgment, and critical evaluation.

AI tools must not replace the reviewer's responsibility to evaluate the originality, methodological quality, scientific validity, and contribution of a manuscript.

Reviewers must not rely solely on AI-generated assessments, recommendations, or summaries when preparing review reports.

Any authorized AI assistance must remain subject to human verification, and reviewers retain full responsibility for their evaluations.

3.3. Transparency and Accountability

Reviewers who intend to use AI tools in ways that materially support manuscript evaluation must obtain approval from the editorial team and disclose the nature of their use.

Reviewers must ensure that AI-assisted outputs are accurate, unbiased, and consistent with the journal's confidentiality and publication ethics requirements.

4. Guidelines for Editors

4.1. Editorial Responsibility

Editors are responsible for maintaining the integrity, fairness, and independence of the editorial and peer review processes.

AI technologies must not independently determine manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection.

All editorial decisions must be made by qualified human editors based on the manuscript's academic quality, relevance, originality, ethical compliance, and peer review recommendations.

4.2. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Editors and editorial staff must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, editorial correspondence, and unpublished research materials.

Confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded to external AI platforms without appropriate authorization and safeguards.

Editors must ensure that any AI-assisted editorial activities comply with the journal's confidentiality obligations and applicable data protection requirements.

4.3. Editorial Oversight of AI Use

Editors may request clarification from authors regarding the use of AI technologies in submitted manuscripts.

When necessary, the editorial team may request additional information, supporting documentation, or revisions to ensure that AI-assisted content complies with academic and publication ethics standards.

Any concerns regarding inappropriate AI use must be evaluated fairly and objectively.

5. AI-Generated Content and Similarity Screening

JSM conducts manuscript similarity screening using Turnitin as part of its editorial evaluation process.

The journal's manuscript similarity threshold is 20% or lower, as specified in its plagiarism policy.

Similarity screening and AI-generated content detection are different assessment processes. A similarity score does not establish the proportion of AI-generated content in a manuscript.

Where AI-detection tools are used, their results should be considered preliminary indicators rather than definitive evidence of inappropriate AI use.

Editorial decisions regarding suspected misuse of AI must involve human evaluation and consideration of relevant evidence.

Authors may be requested to clarify the origin, preparation, or verification of manuscript content when concerns arise.

6. Violations of the AI Policy

JSM considers the misuse of AI technologies a potential violation of publication ethics when it compromises research integrity, originality, transparency, confidentiality, or scholarly accountability.

Suspected violations may include:

Undisclosed substantial use of AI in manuscript preparation.
Fabrication or falsification of data, references, images, or research findings using AI.
Misrepresentation of AI-generated materials as original research evidence.
Unauthorized disclosure of confidential manuscripts or research data through AI platforms.
Use of AI-generated content that infringes intellectual property rights or constitutes plagiarism.
Misleading representation of the authors' intellectual contributions.

When a suspected violation is identified, the editorial team may request explanations or supporting documentation from the parties concerned.

Depending on the seriousness of the violation and the available evidence, appropriate actions may include requests for clarification, manuscript revision, rejection, correction, or retraction.

All cases will be assessed fairly and with consideration of the journal's established publication ethics policies.

7. Appeals and Clarifications

Authors may submit an appeal or request clarification regarding editorial decisions associated with the use of AI technologies.

Appeals should include a clear explanation and relevant supporting information.

The editorial team will review the submitted information and determine whether further evaluation or corrective action is necessary.

Authors who are uncertain about the acceptable use of AI technologies are encouraged to contact the editorial team before manuscript submission.

8. Policy Review and Updates

JSM recognizes that AI technologies and their applications in scholarly research and publishing continue to evolve.

This policy may be periodically reviewed and updated to address technological developments, emerging ethical concerns, and changes in scholarly publishing practices.

Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to consult the latest version of this policy available on the official JSM website.

JSM remains committed to promoting the responsible use of AI while preserving the integrity, reliability, transparency, and academic quality of published research.