Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

For authors

Permitted Uses of AI

Authors may use AI tools to assist with certain non-substantive aspects of manuscript preparation:

• Language and Readability: AI tools may be employed for grammar correction, language refinement, and stylistic adjustments. Authors remain responsible for reviewing and verifying the accuracy of any changes.
• Illustrative Examples: Authors can include examples generated by AI for explanatory or illustrative purposes, provided these examples are clearly labeled and cited in the manuscript.
• Data Analysis: AI tools may support data analysis conducted through traditional research methods, but the methodology must include a detailed description of the tools, parameters, and rationale for their use.

Prohibited Uses of AI

• Authorship and Content Creation: Authors must not use AI tools to generate substantive content for manuscripts, including sections like abstracts, literature reviews, methodologies, results, or conclusions. Intellectual contributions must be entirely the work of the authors.
• Data Generation: AI tools cannot be used to fabricate or simulate data, statistical analyses, or findings. All reported data must originate from authentic and verifiable research.
• Image Creation: Images, figures, or visualizations generated by AI are not permitted due to concerns about authenticity and ethical compliance.

Disclosure Requirement

Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in their manuscript. A disclosure statement should be included in the Acknowledgments section, specifying the tools used and their purpose (e.g., "This manuscript was proofread using [AI Tool Name] for grammar and clarity improvement.").

For Reviewers

Permitted Uses of AI

Reviewers may use AI tools to assist in the preparation of their review reports, such as:

• Refining language, grammar, or formatting for clarity and readability.
• Verifying references or basic factual information related to the manuscript content.

Prohibited Uses of AI

• Reviewers must not use AI tools to evaluate the intellectual content of the manuscript or to generate substantive parts of their review. The evaluation must be entirely their own.
• Reviewers must avoid disclosing manuscript content to AI tools, ensuring the confidentiality of the review process.

Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to identify and report any potential misuse of AI tools by authors, such as AI-generated content or fabricated data, and alert the editorial team. Reviewers must uphold confidentiality throughout the review process.

For Editors

Permitted Uses of AI

Editors may use AI tools for administrative tasks, such as:

• Streamlining workflows or tracking manuscript progress.
• Enhancing communication clarity in editorial decisions or reviewer invitations.

Prohibited Uses of AI

• Editors must not use AI tools to make substantive editorial decisions or to evaluate the intellectual merit of a manuscript.
• AI tools cannot be used to generate content for editorial letters or correspondence without human oversight and validation.

Responsibilities

Editors must ensure compliance with the AI usage policy by:

• Verifying that authors disclose any use of AI tools and addressing any inconsistencies or ethical concerns.
• Ensuring that the peer review process remains rigorous and free from AI-generated biases.
• Providing reviewers with guidance on AI-related ethical standards and monitoring adherence to the journal’s policies.

Ethical Considerations for All Parties

AI tools can generate plausible-sounding but incorrect or fabricated information, often referred to as "AI hallucination." All parties involved in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—must ensure the accuracy and validity of any content influenced by AI. Additionally, the use of AI must comply with ethical standards, including respect for data privacy, informed consent, and bias mitigation.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with this AI policy may result in:

• Manuscript rejection or retraction of published articles for authors.
• Removal from the reviewer pool for reviewers who violate confidentiality or misuse AI tools.
• Investigation and corrective actions for editors who misuse AI tools or fail to enforce the policy.

Commitment to Ethical AI Use

AJMAS is committed to promoting ethical and responsible AI use in academic publishing. By adhering to this policy, all participants in the publication process contribute to maintaining the integrity, rigor, and trustworthiness of scholarly research.