Journal

The AILACTE Journal recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in research, academic writing, and scholarly publishing. The AILACTE journal distinguishes policies between three categories of AI use: assistive use (disclosure not required), generative use (disclosure required), and prohibited use. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to follow the guidelines outlined below.

Assistive Use of AI (Disclosure Not Required)

AI tools that support authors in improving the clarity, grammar, language, or organization of their own work fall under “assistive use” and do not require disclosure. These tools function in a similar manner to spelling or grammar checkers and do not create substantive scholarly content.

Examples include AI tools used for:

• Language editing or grammar correction
• Improving sentence structure or readability
• Formatting or stylistic suggestions
• Minor copyediting assistance

Because these tools do not generate original scholarly content, authors are not required to disclose their use. However, authors remain fully responsible for ensuring that their submission is accurate, original, and meets standards of rigorous academic scholarship.

Generative Use of AI (Disclosure Required)

When AI tools generate or substantially contribute to text, images, code, data analysis, or other research-related material, their use must be clearly disclosed at the time of manuscript submission through a dedicated statement on AI use. A “substantial contribution” refers to any AI-generated content that influences the intellectual content of the manuscript, including interpretation, argumentation, synthesis of literature, or presentation of findings. Minor or assistive uses (e.g., grammar correction or sentence-level edits) do not constitute substantial contribution. When in doubt, authors should err on the side of disclosure.

Examples of generative AI use that require disclosure include:

• Assistance in conducting literature searches or compiling relevant sources
• Translation of research materials or documents
• Assistance in data analysis or research processes
• Producing data visualizations, figures, or graphical representations
• Assisting with the compilation or organization of references

Authors must verify the accuracy of all AI-generated outputs and check the original sources, including citations, factual claims, and interpretations. AI tools may produce inaccurate information or fabricated references; therefore, authors are responsible for confirming all sources and ensuring proper attribution to original works.

Disclosure Guidance

Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors. When generative AI has been used in the preparation of a manuscript, its use must be both disclosed and appropriately cited in accordance with APA guidelines. AI tools should not be treated as primary scholarly sources but may be cited to document their use. Authors should follow current APA guidelines for citing generative AI tools, including providing in-text citations and reference entries where applicable.

A disclosure statement should be included in a section titled “Declaration of AI Use” at the end of the manuscript, immediately before the reference list. If no AI or AI-assisted tools were used in the preparation of the manuscript, this section is not required.

Sample disclosure statement:

During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [name of AI tool] to [describe the purpose, e.g., improve language clarity, assist with data visualization, or support literature organization]. Following the use of this tool, the author(s) carefully reviewed and revised the content as necessary and accept full responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the final manuscript.

Prohibited Uses of AI

Certain uses of AI are inconsistent with the ethical standards of scholarly research and are therefore not permitted in submissions to the AILACTE Journal.

Prohibited uses include:

• Generating research data, empirical findings, or experimental results using AI prompts
• Fabricating references or citations
• Producing text or content that misrepresents the author’s original scholarship
• Conducting simulated interviews or generating qualitative data using AI tools in place of human participants
• Using AI to analyze qualitative experiences or themes without appropriate methodological transparency
• Presenting AI-generated images as original research data or unique findings
• Plagiarism or improper attribution involving AI-generated content

Responsibilities of Reviewers and Editors

The use of generative AI by reviewers and editors in the peer-review process is strictly limited in order to protect confidentiality and scholarly integrity.

• Reviewers must not use generative AI tools to produce peer-review reports
• Editors must not use AI systems to generate editorial decisions, decision letters, or summaries of unpublished research
• Manuscripts under review must not be uploaded to AI tools, as this may compromise confidentiality

While reviewers are not expected to verify every reference exhaustively; they should exercise reasonable diligence when:

• References appear inconsistent, fabricated, or unusually numerous
• Sources cannot be readily located
• Citations are central to the manuscript’s claims

In the event references are questioned, reviewers may request that authors verify, correct, or provide access to original sources through their peer review.

Undisclosed or Inappropriate Use of AI

If concerns arise regarding the undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI technologies in a manuscript or published article, the journal will conduct an investigation consistent with recognized standards of publication ethics, including requesting clarification or correction from authors. Failure to disclose significant AI-generated content may result in rejection of the manuscript or retraction of a published article.

Detection and Verification of AI Use

The journal recognizes that detecting AI-generated content may not always be definitive. Concerns regarding AI use may arise through:

• Author disclosure
• Reviewer or editor observation (e.g., inconsistent writing style, unverifiable references)
• AI-detection tools (e.g., Turnitin or similar software) may be used as screening tools only. Their outputs are not considered definitive evidence of AI use and will not be used as the sole basis for editorial decisions.

Any concerns will be evaluated using editorial judgment and supporting evidence, rather than relying on a single method of detection. If concerns arise regarding the undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI technologies, the Editor(s) will initiate direct communication with the author(s) to request clarification, original sources, drafts, supporting materials, etc. in an effort to resolve concerns.

Authors will be provided an opportunity to respond to concerns through the Peer Review process and, where appropriate, may appeal editorial decisions by providing additional documentation or clarification.