Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Research Edge and Publication (REP)

Research Edge and Publication (REP) recognizes the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in academic research, scholarly writing, and publishing workflows. REP supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI-assisted tools while maintaining the principles of academic integrity, authorship accountability, and research reliability.

Authors, reviewers, editors, and contributors are expected to use AI technologies responsibly and in accordance with this policy.

AI Use Disclosure by Authors

Authors must fully disclose the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools if such tools have contributed to the preparation of a manuscript or publication.

Examples include:

  • Generative AI systems (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, and similar tools)
  • AI-assisted language editing tools
  • AI-assisted translation tools
  • AI-based data analysis tools
  • AI-assisted image generation tools

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must clearly state:

  • The name of the AI tool used.
  • The purpose for which the tool was used.
  • The extent of AI involvement in manuscript preparation.

Examples of acceptable disclosures:

"The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to assist with language editing and manuscript formatting. All scientific content, interpretations, and conclusions were reviewed and approved by the authors."

"An AI-assisted language editing tool was used to improve grammar and readability. The authors take full responsibility for the final content."

Failure to disclose substantial AI use may be considered a breach of publication ethics.

AI Cannot Be Listed as an Author

Artificial Intelligence systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of any publication.

AI tools cannot:

  • Take responsibility for research findings.
  • Approve final manuscripts.
  • Accept accountability for published work.
  • Hold intellectual property rights.
  • Meet authorship criteria.

Only human contributors who satisfy the publisher’s authorship requirements may be listed as authors.

Examples of unacceptable authorship:

❌ ChatGPT as Author
❌ Gemini as Co-Author
❌ AI System as Corresponding Author

All listed authors must be human individuals who accept responsibility for the content.

AI-Generated Content Verification

Authors are fully responsible for verifying all content generated or assisted by AI systems.

Before submission, authors must:

  • Verify factual accuracy.
  • Check references and citations.
  • Confirm data validity.
  • Correct misleading or fabricated information.
  • Review interpretations and conclusions.
  • Ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Author Responsibility

The use of AI does not transfer responsibility from the author to the software.

Authors remain fully accountable for:

  • Accuracy of content
  • Originality of work
  • Research integrity
  • Ethical compliance
  • Validity of references and citations

REP reserves the right to request clarification regarding AI-generated content during editorial review.

AI and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that AI-generated content does not:

  • Reproduce copyrighted material without permission.
  • Contain unattributed text.
  • Violate intellectual property rights.
  • Constitute plagiarism or self-plagiarism.

All submissions remain subject to plagiarism screening regardless of AI involvement.

AI Use by Reviewers

Peer reviewers must maintain confidentiality of all submitted materials.

Reviewers must not:

  • Upload confidential manuscripts to public AI systems.
  • Share unpublished research with AI platforms.
  • Use AI to generate complete peer review reports.

Reviewers may use limited AI-assisted language support only when confidentiality and data protection are maintained.

The reviewer remains fully responsible for all review comments and recommendations.

AI Use by Editors

Editors may use AI-assisted tools for administrative and technical support purposes, including:

  • Language assessment
  • Metadata checks
  • Similarity screening assistance
  • Workflow management

However, editorial decisions must always be made by qualified human editors.

AI systems must not independently:

  • Accept manuscripts
  • Reject manuscripts
  • Make publication decisions
  • Resolve ethical cases

Editorial responsibility remains with the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board.

AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Data

If AI-generated images, illustrations, figures, visual content, datasets, or analytical outputs are included in a submission:

Authors must:

  • Clearly disclose their use.
  • Identify the AI tool used.
  • Confirm that no copyright violations exist.
  • Ensure scientific accuracy and transparency.

REP may request additional information regarding the creation and use of such materials.

Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

REP supports the responsible use of AI technologies while emphasizing:

  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Academic Integrity
  • Research Ethics
  • Human Oversight
  • Scholarly Responsibility

Artificial Intelligence should assist scholarly work but must not replace critical human judgment, scientific reasoning, ethical accountability, or authorship responsibility.

AI Policy Statement

Research Edge and Publication (REP) permits the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research and manuscript preparation when properly disclosed. AI systems cannot be listed as authors, and all AI-assisted content must be reviewed, verified, and approved by the authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of all submitted and published work.