Generative AI Policy
The Journal of Smart and Sustainable Agroindustrial Engineering (JoSSA) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) and AI-assisted technologies may support scholarly activities when used responsibly, transparently, and with appropriate human oversight. This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and other parties involved in the journal's publication process.
Use of Generative AI by Authors
Authors may use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to support appropriate aspects of manuscript preparation, such as improving language, readability, organization, or other supporting tasks. However, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, validity, and scholarly content of the submitted manuscript.
Generative AI systems, large language models, chatbots, image generators, or other AI-assisted technologies must not be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot assume responsibility or accountability for published work.
Authors must carefully verify all AI-assisted output. AI-generated or AI-assisted content must not introduce fabricated data, inaccurate statements, false citations, nonexistent references, plagiarism, inappropriate paraphrasing, or infringement of intellectual property rights.
When generative AI or AI-assisted technologies have been used beyond routine spelling, grammar, or basic language correction, authors must transparently disclose their use in the manuscript under the Generative AI Use Statement. The disclosure should identify the tool or technology used and briefly describe the purpose for which it was used.
An appropriate disclosure may follow this format:
“During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool and version, if available] for [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted output and take full responsibility for the content of the manuscript.”
AI-assisted technologies must not be used to fabricate, falsify, manipulate, or replace research data, observations, experimental results, or scientific evidence.
When artificial intelligence constitutes part of the research methodology itself—for example, machine learning, computer vision, generative models, or other computational methods—the methods, models, software, versions, parameters, datasets, validation procedures, and other relevant information must be reported with sufficient detail to support scientific transparency and reproducibility. Such methodological use should be reported in the appropriate research methods section and is distinct from the use of generative AI for manuscript preparation.
Use of Generative AI for Images and Research Materials
AI-generated or AI-modified images, figures, datasets, or other research materials must not be presented as authentic experimental or observational evidence unless their generation or modification constitutes a legitimate and explicitly described part of the research methodology.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that any AI-assisted material complies with applicable copyright, licensing, privacy, research ethics, and intellectual property requirements.
Use of Generative AI by Reviewers
Submitted manuscripts and associated review materials are confidential documents. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, any part of a manuscript, supplementary material, reviewer correspondence, or other confidential information to publicly accessible or third-party generative AI systems where confidentiality, data protection, and intellectual property cannot be assured.
Generative AI must not replace the reviewer's independent scientific judgement, critical evaluation, or responsibility for the review report.
If the journal expressly permits the use of an AI-assisted tool in a particular review activity, the reviewer must disclose such use to the editor and remains fully responsible for the accuracy, appropriateness, and integrity of the review.
Use of Generative AI by Editors
Editors must preserve the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and editorial communications. Manuscripts, review reports, author correspondence, or other confidential editorial materials must not be uploaded to generative AI systems where confidentiality and data protection cannot be assured.
Generative AI must not replace editorial judgement or be used as the sole basis for decisions concerning acceptance, revision, rejection, research integrity, or scientific quality.
Editors remain fully responsible and accountable for all editorial decisions.
Transparency and Accountability
The use of generative AI does not reduce the responsibility of authors, reviewers, or editors for their respective roles in scholarly publishing. Human participants remain accountable for all decisions, statements, analyses, citations, and materials produced or submitted with AI assistance.
Failure to disclose material use of generative AI, the submission of fabricated AI-generated content, violation of manuscript confidentiality, or other inappropriate uses of AI may result in editorial action in accordance with JoSSA's Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, and Correction and Retraction Policy.
JoSSA may revise this policy periodically in response to developments in artificial intelligence technology, scholarly publishing standards, and publication ethics.
