Use of Gen AI

NUML JCI Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

The NUML Journal of Critical Inquiry (NUML JCI) recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research, academic writing and scholarly publishing. This policy establishes guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of generative AI tools by authors and peer reviewers to safeguard academic integrity, originality, transparency and human accountability.

2. Core Principles

Accountability and Integrity: Authors and peer reviewers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity and quality of the work they submit or evaluate.

Transparency: Any use of AI tools beyond preliminary research and brainstorming must be disclosed clearly and appropriately.

Human Oversight: AI tools must not replace human judgement, authorship, intellectual contribution or critical analysis.

Originality and Privacy: All submissions must reflect the author’s own intellectual contribution. Authors must protect unpublished research and confidential information from unauthorized disclosure through AI systems.

3. Acceptable Use of AI Tools

AI tools may be used for the following purposes, subject to the conditions outlined in this policy:

  • Research and brainstorming: AI may be used to support preliminary exploration of topics, generate research questions for consideration and assist in brainstorming. Authors remain responsible for verifying all information, references and claims.
  • Language editing: AI tools may assist with grammar, spelling, readability and clarity when editing the author’s own original text, provided that the author’s ideas, arguments, analysis and intellectual contribution remain unchanged. Editing must be conducted using a private AI system that provides appropriate protection for unpublished work.
  • Preparation of associated text items: AI may assist with editing or refining certain accompanying text items, provided it does not generate substantive scholarly content and the author’s intellectual contribution remains intact.
  • Image editing: AI-assisted image editing or enhancement is permitted only when conducted using Adobe Creative Cloud and applied to the author’s own original images. Editing must not misrepresent research findings or alter images in a misleading manner.

Authors must independently verify any information, references or suggestions produced by AI tools.

4. Prohibited Use of AI

The following uses of AI are not permitted in manuscripts submitted to NUML JCI:

  • AI-generated content: Authors may not submit AI-generated text, translations, abstracts, introductions, literature reviews, analyses, discussions, conclusions or other substantive content for publication.
  • AI-generated illustrations: Authors may not use AI tools to create images, figures, diagrams or other illustrative materials for submission.
  • Misrepresentation of authorship: AI tools must not be credited as authors or used to replace the author’s original intellectual contribution.
  • Unverified information: Authors must not rely on AI-generated claims, citations or references without independently checking their accuracy and authenticity.
  • Disclosure of confidential material: Authors must not upload their manuscripts, unpublished research or any portion of their work to publicly accessible AI systems. Private systems may be used for permitted editing purposes only where adequate confidentiality and data protection are ensured.

5. Disclosure Requirements

Authors must disclose any use of AI tools beyond preliminary research and brainstorming at the time of submission. Where AI tools have been used for language editing or other permitted assistance, a brief declaration must be included in the manuscript, preferably in the acknowledgements or a footnote.

The declaration should identify the tool used and explain the nature of its assistance.

Example:

“The author used Grammarly to assist with language editing and clarity improvements. No content was generated using AI.”

Failure to disclose relevant AI use may be considered a breach of the journal’s publication ethics requirements.

6. Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers must maintain confidentiality and are responsible for their own assessments and recommendations. They must not upload manuscripts, excerpts or confidential editorial correspondence to publicly accessible AI systems. Any permitted use of AI must comply with the journal’s confidentiality requirements and must not replace the reviewer’s independent expert judgement.

Reviewers must not use AI to generate a review in place of their own critical assessment or disclose confidential manuscript information to third-party tools.

7. Editorial Oversight and Compliance

NUML JCI reserves the right to seek clarification about the use of AI tools where concerns arise regarding originality, authorship, accuracy or disclosure. Undisclosed or prohibited use may result in a request for clarification or revision, rejection of the manuscript, or other appropriate action in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics policies.

8. NUML’s Institutional AI Policy

This policy should be read in conjunction with the applicable AI usage policy and guidelines issued by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). Authors and reviewers are expected to comply with the relevant institutional requirements in addition to the provisions of this journal policy.

NUML Institutional AI Policy: NUML Anti-Plagiarism Policy 2024 (PDF)

9. Policy Objective

This policy aims to encourage responsible and transparent use of AI while protecting the originality, confidentiality, credibility and academic standards of research published in NUML JCI. Authors and reviewers are expected to comply with these requirements throughout the submission, review and publication process.