AI Policy
AI Policy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines”. Generative AI is a type of AI that can generate/produce text, audio, image, video and synthetic data based on the input/prompt. Some examples include, but are not limited to, large language models (LLMS), Gemini, Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Novel AI, Jasper, Dall-E, AI-writer and Codex.
Engineered Science Publisher LLC acknowledges the growing prevalence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies. In response, the following policies have been established to guide authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and contributors. These policies are designed to support the responsible use of AI while upholding the integrity and excellence of Scientific publishing in Engineered Science Journals. These policies will be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect advancements and developments in AI tools.
Guidelines for Authors
Authorship in scientific publishing requires that individuals listed as authors take shared responsibility and accountability for the content of the article, as described in our ethical guidelines. Given this requirement, an AI tool/technology cannot be listed as the author, as they have no capacity to take responsibility and accountability for the content of the article.
As an alternative, the use of AI tools/technologies should be acknowledged and mentioned transparently. In each case, the final version of the text must be subject to human oversight, with authors formally confirming that all edits accurately represent their original intent.
In general, the following principles are recommended:
1. Usage of Generative AI tools as a basic tool for fundamental support tasks such as grammar correction, spell check, basic formatting, punctuation fixes, simple style improvements, text alignment, and font consistency is permitted, and disclosure may not be necessary.
2. Usage of Generative AI tools beyond the basic tasks including but not limited as content refinement based on context and intent, tone adjustment (such formal, technical, neutral, etc.), plagiarism detection, cohesion, coherence, and structure suggestions, audience-specific rewrites, AI-assisted paraphrasing and summarization, cross-language support or technical content simplification is permissible and must be disclosed. However, human oversight to confirm the intent of the content, avoiding plagiarism, etc., is necessary. Authors must provide all details in the “Methods” section or other appropriate section of the manuscript. This disclosure helps the editor to understand those use cases and decide on their acceptability.
3. Usage of Generative AI tools to produce, modify, or manipulate the original research data and results, including images, plots, photographs, x-rays, and measurements, is strictly not permitted.
4. Usage of Generative AI tool for image and video creation, including but not limited to schematic illustrations, graphical representations, and table of content entry (Graphical Abstract), is not allowed. This is because the legal copyright and research integrity issues related to the AI-generated images still remain broadly unresolved.
However, we have the following exceptions:
- Generative AI tools can be used to create the cover image/art for the journal, provided that the use of AI tools/technologies is acknowledged and mentioned transparently. In this case, authors should take complete responsibility to ensure compliance with legal copyright law (such as usage of tools for commercial purposes) and research integrity (such as avoiding plagiarism).
*All exceptions must be labelled clearly as generated by AI within the image field.
Guidelines for Editors
Editors are responsible for keeping the submission and peer review details confidential. During the editorial process, the manuscript, including the supporting information and associated files, should not be uploaded to any of the generative AI platforms, for any purpose.
Editors have the discretion to decide the percentage of AI usage in a manuscript and have the authority to reject the manuscript or request a revision to remove or reduce content generated by AI tools.
Guidelines for Reviewers
The editor assigns the experts in the relevant field of research to review articles. The use of Generative AI tools for article review is prohibited, as generative AI tools are not up to date in the current state-of-the-art in the relevant field of research and may produce illogical, biased, or incorrect information. The AI tools may be used for fundamental support tasks, such as grammar correction, spell check, basic formatting, punctuation fixes, simple style improvements, text alignment, and font consistency. It is necessary that the reviewers retain full responsibility for the comments and perspectives provided by them in the report. Uploading of the manuscript file, including the supporting information and associated files or reviewer comments to generative AI platforms, is not allowed, as this may lead to the violation of legal copyrights and confidentiality. Peer reviewers are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of their comments on the article.
The editor assigns experts in relevant research fields to review articles. The use of generative AI tools for article review is prohibited. Generative AI as a basic tool for fundamental support tasks, including grammar correction, spell check, basic formatting, punctuation fixes, style improvements, text alignment, and font consistency, is not permitted. Uploading the manuscript file, supporting information, associated files, or reviewing comments to generative AI platforms is not allowed due to potential copyright concerns. Peer reviewers are responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of their comments on the article.
References
2. STM GENERATIVE AI IN SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATIONS, Ethical and Practical Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI in the Publication Process. Dec 2023, https://stm-assoc.org/new-white-paper-launch-generative-ai-in-scholarly-communications/