Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

SAER Journal recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), generative AI systems, and other automated technologies may provide useful support in scholarly publishing. Their use, however, must be consistent with the principles of transparency, human accountability, accuracy, confidentiality, intellectual property, and research integrity.

1. General Principle

The use of AI-assisted technologies does not transfer or reduce the scientific and ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, or editors. Human users remain ultimately responsible for any content generated, modified, analyzed, or evaluated with the assistance of AI.

AI systems are not considered independent agents capable of assuming scientific judgment, ethical responsibility, authorship accountability, or editorial decision-making authority.

2. Use of AI by Authors

Authors who use generative AI or comparable automated tools in preparing their manuscripts must transparently disclose meaningful uses beyond routine spelling correction, language editing, or formatting.

The disclosure should, where appropriate, identify the tool used and describe its purpose. If AI has been used for text generation, summarization, coding, data analysis, image generation, data collection, or another substantive stage of the research, this use should be described in the appropriate section of the manuscript.

3. Language Editing and Technical Assistance

Automated tools used solely for spelling checks, grammar correction, language improvement, formatting, or comparable limited technical assistance may not require detailed disclosure. Such use must not alter the scientific meaning, findings, or interpretation of the work.

4. AI Cannot Qualify for Authorship

Artificial intelligence systems, chatbots, large language models, and other automated tools may not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship is reserved for individuals who can take responsibility and accountability for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the work.

Human authors remain fully responsible for the scientific and ethical integrity of submitted and published content, including material created with AI assistance.

5. Accuracy and Verification of Sources

Authors are responsible for independently verifying the accuracy of any text, data, analysis, code, references, figures, or other material produced with AI-assisted technologies.

Authors should recognize that AI systems may generate incorrect, incomplete, misleading, or fabricated references. All cited sources must therefore be verified for authenticity and relevance.

Generative AI output should not be treated as a primary scholarly source or used as evidence supporting scientific claims.

6. Plagiarism, Copyright, and Intellectual Property

Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-generated or AI-modified material does not contain plagiarism, inappropriate attribution, or violations of third-party intellectual property rights.

The fact that material was generated by AI does not remove authors' obligations to provide appropriate attribution, obtain permissions where necessary, and comply with copyright requirements.

7. AI in Data Analysis and Research Methods

Where AI or machine-learning tools are used for data collection, processing, coding, analysis, modeling, or image generation, the relevant methods, tools, and procedures should be described sufficiently to support transparency and, where appropriate, reproducibility.

Researchers remain responsible for validating analytical outputs and for the scientific interpretation of research findings.

8. Images and Figures

The use of AI to generate or substantially modify images, figures, or graphics must be disclosed transparently. Such material must not alter scientific data in a misleading manner or create the impression that an observation occurred when it did not.

9. Protection of Confidential and Personal Data

Authors must not upload personal data, sensitive personal data, participant information, unpublished research data, or other confidential material to AI systems unless appropriate data security and legal safeguards are assured.

The use of AI does not remove obligations relating to participant privacy, confidentiality, or applicable data protection requirements.

10. Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must treat submitted manuscripts and associated files as confidential scholarly communications.

Reviewers must not upload manuscript text, supplementary files, or unpublished material to generative AI systems where confidentiality and data security cannot be assured.

The scientific substance and final judgment of a peer review must be based on the reviewer's own expertise and evaluation. Generative AI should not independently produce peer review reports or replace the reviewer's responsibility for the assessment.

Where an AI-assisted tool is used in a manner permitted by the journal, the reviewer should disclose such use to the editor.

11. Use of AI by Editors

Editors are responsible for protecting the confidentiality of unpublished manuscripts and peer review reports. Manuscripts or review reports must not be uploaded to AI systems where confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

AI tools may support technical aspects of editorial workflows; however, the final decision to accept or reject a manuscript remains the responsibility of the authorized human editor.

When automated tools are used to identify plagiarism, image manipulation, text similarity, or other potential research integrity concerns, automated results must be subject to human editorial verification.

12. Use of AI by the Journal

Where SAER Journal makes substantive routine use of AI or automated tools in its publishing or production processes, such use will be disclosed to authors or readers when appropriate.

Automated output will not serve as the sole basis for final scientific or ethical decisions without appropriate human oversight.

13. Undisclosed or Inappropriate Use of AI

Where AI use that should have been disclosed is identified, or where the use of AI raises concerns regarding research integrity, confidentiality, or the reliability of the scholarly record, the editor may request an explanation from the authors.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the concern, a manuscript may be rejected during evaluation, or appropriate corrections, notices, or other post-publication actions may be taken for published work.

14. Policy Updates

Because AI technologies and scholarly publishing standards continue to develop rapidly, SAER Journal may revise this policy when necessary. Authors, reviewers, and editors are responsible for complying with the version of the policy in effect at the time of submission or evaluation.