Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

Authors may use AI tools responsibly if they disclose the use and remain fully accountable for the content. Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts to generative AI tools.

For authors

  • AI tools cannot be listed as authors, because they cannot take responsibility for the work or approve the final version.
  • Generative AI may be used to improve language and readability, to translate the authors' own text, or to assist with coding and data processing. The authors must check all output carefully.
  • The research questions, analysis, interpretation and conclusions must be the authors' own.
  • AI must not be used to fabricate or alter data, interview transcripts, quotations, survey responses, references or images.
  • Basic spelling and grammar checkers do not need to be disclosed.
  • When AI is part of the research method (for example, a large language model used to code interview data), describe the tool, version, date of use and prompts in the Methods section.

Disclosure statement

Authors add a section titled Declaration of Generative AI Use before the References:

The authors used [tool name and version] to [purpose] during [stage of work]. The authors checked and edited all output and take full responsibility for the content of this article.

If no generative AI was used:

The authors did not use generative AI tools in preparing this manuscript.

For reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, to a generative AI tool.
  • Reviewers write their own assessment. They may use basic language tools to polish their wording, provided no manuscript content is entered.

For editors

  • Editors follow the same confidentiality rule and make all editorial decisions themselves.
  • The journal may use non-generative tools, such as similarity checking and reference checking, to support screening.

Undisclosed or improper use

Undisclosed or improper use of AI is handled under the Publication Ethics statement and may lead to rejection or retraction. SSIJ does not reject a manuscript on the basis of an AI-detector score alone, because these tools are unreliable. The editor may ask the authors to explain their use of AI or to provide earlier drafts.

This policy is reviewed every year as AI tools and publishing standards change.