Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Unesa Journal of Chemistry (UJC) is committed to upholding integrity, honesty, and transparency in scholarly publishing. This policy governs the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including generative AI and large language models (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and other AI-assisted technologies, by authors, reviewers, and editors. This policy governs the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies in the research, writing, review, and editorial processes for articles submitted to UJC. It aims to maintain academic integrity, ensure transparency, and promote ethical practices in scholarly communication. As AI tools become increasingly integral to academic work, this policy provides a framework to address their responsible use, ensuring that the standards of scholarly excellence and integrity are upheld. This policy will be updated periodically to reflect advancements in AI technologies and their implications for academic publishing.

1. Policy for Authors

a. AI cannot be an author. AI tools do not meet the criteria for authorship because they cannot take responsibility for the work, give final approval, or manage conflicts of interest and copyright. AI tools must not be listed as an author or co-author.

b. Authors are fully accountable. Authors are fully responsible for the entire content of the manuscript, including any parts produced or assisted by AI. Authors must ensure the accuracy, originality, and validity of the data, interpretations, and references, and must check for bias, factual errors, "hallucinations" (fabricated information or citations), and inadvertent plagiarism.

c. Permitted use with disclosure. The use of AI to improve language, grammar, writing style, or readability (language editing) is permitted. Authors must disclose such use transparently.

d. Prohibited use. Authors must not use AI to:

  • generate, fabricate, manipulate, or alter research data, analytical results, spectra, chromatograms, or scientific images;

  • produce scientific conclusions or findings that are not supported by actual research data;

  • generate citations or reference lists without verifying them against the original sources;

  • replace the authors' intellectual contribution to idea formulation, research design, and interpretation of results.

e. Images and visual materials. Images, illustrations, figures, or graphical abstracts created or modified by generative AI are not permitted, unless AI is part of the research methodology (e.g., computational modeling or machine learning in computational chemistry). In such cases, its use must be described in detail in the Methods section, including the tool name, version, and how it was used.

f. AI use declaration. Authors who used AI tools in preparing the manuscript must include a statement at the end of the manuscript (before the References), for example:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [tool name, version] for [purpose, e.g., improving grammar and readability]. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content and take full responsibility for the content of this publication."

The use of basic tools such as spelling checkers, grammar checkers, or reference managers does not need to be reported.

2. Policy for Reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload the manuscript, any part of it, or their review report to generative AI tools, as this may breach confidentiality and the authors' proprietary rights.

  • Reviewers must not use AI to generate or replace their scientific judgment. Peer review requires critical thinking and expertise that AI cannot substitute.

  • Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content of their review reports.

  • If reviewers suspect that a manuscript was produced with undisclosed AI use, they are asked to notify the editor.

3. Policy for Editors

  • Editors must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and must not upload them to generative AI tools.

  • Editorial decisions must be based on human judgment and not made automatically by AI.

  • Editors may use plagiarism detection software and other tools approved by the journal management to check manuscript suitability, while manually verifying the results.

  • Editors reserve the right to request clarification from authors regarding the use of AI in their manuscripts.

4. Violations and Sanctions

If undisclosed or policy-violating use of AI is identified, whether before or after publication, the editorial team reserves the right to:

  • request clarification and revision of the manuscript;

  • reject a manuscript under review;

  • issue a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction for published articles;

5. Policy Updates

As AI technology develops rapidly, this policy will be reviewed and updated periodically. Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to check the latest version before submitting or reviewing a manuscript.

Questions about this policy may be directed to the editorial office of Unesa Journal of Chemistry through the contact details provided on the journal website.