Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

1. Purpose

This policy defines the acceptable use of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools by authors, reviewers, and editors of the International Society that Learn Journal (IStLJ). Its purpose is to ensure transparency, protect academic integrity, and uphold ethical responsibility in scholarly publishing.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Authors (corresponding authors and all contributors),

  • Reviewers,

  • Editors and members of the editorial board.

The policy covers all submitted materials, including manuscripts, tables, figures, images, computer code, datasets, and supplementary files.

3. Core Principles

  • AI tools cannot be listed as authors.

  • Transparency is mandatory in all uses of AI tools.

  • Authors bear full and final responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content.

  • AI tools may be used only as assistive tools; scholarly responsibility cannot be delegated to AI.

4. Rules and Obligations for Authors

4.1 Mandatory Disclosure

If AI tools are used at any stage of manuscript preparation, authors must clearly disclose this use in the Acknowledgements section or in a separate section titled “Use of Artificial Intelligence”, including:

  • The name and version of the AI tool(s),

  • The purpose and section(s) in which the tool was used,

  • How AI-generated outputs were reviewed, verified, and corrected.

AI tools must never be listed as authors.

If figures, images, or visual materials are generated or modified using AI, the source and permission status must be clearly stated.

Authors are fully responsible for verifying the accuracy and validity of any references, data, or content suggested by AI tools.

4.2 Prohibited Practices (Grounds for Rejection)

  • Submitting manuscripts in which the entire text or the core scientific content is automatically generated by AI without disclosure,

  • Using AI-generated content that includes fabricated data, false references, or misleading information,

  • Listing AI tools as authors or co-authors.

5. Rules for Reviewers

Reviewers may use AI tools only as auxiliary support (e.g., language checking or reference verification), provided that:

  • Confidential or unpublished materials are not uploaded to external AI services,

  • The final evaluation is based on the reviewer’s own expert judgment,

  • Any use of AI tools is transparently disclosed in the review report.

6. Rules for Editors and the Editorial Board

Editors:

  • Must not upload confidential materials to unauthorized AI platforms,

  • May request an AI use disclosure from authors in cases of suspicion,

  • May require additional clarification or verification where necessary.

7. Monitoring, Detection, and Sanctions

The journal may apply editorial assessment, text-analysis tools, and manual review to evaluate compliance with this policy. AI-detection tools are not considered conclusive evidence on their own; final decisions rely on editorial judgment.

If undisclosed or inappropriate AI use is identified:

  • Prior to publication: the manuscript may be rejected,

  • After publication: a correction, expression of concern, or retraction may be issued, and relevant institutions may be notified when appropriate.

8. Sample Disclosure Statements for Authors

Short example (English):
“This study used OpenAI ChatGPT (version X.X) for language polishing. All outputs generated by the tool were reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors, who take full responsibility for the content and accuracy of the final manuscript.”

Extended / sensitive use example (code, data, analysis):
“Some analytical suggestions and prototype code snippets were generated using AI-based tools. The authors experimentally validated, adapted, and corrected these outputs. No empirical data, results, or final statistical analyses were produced solely by AI tools.”

This policy has been prepared in alignment with internationally recognized best practices and editorial guidelines on AI use in scholarly publishing (e.g., COPE, DOAJ, WAME).