Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies Policies

The Social Sciences and Development Review recognizes the rapid advancement of innovations related to the use of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (AI tools) by researchers to enhance the speed and efficiency of their manuscript preparation. These tools are helping researchers to  to synthesize complex literature, provide an overview of a field or research question, identify research gaps, generate ideas and provide tailored support for tasks such as content organization and improving language and readability (Generative AI policies for journals | Elsevier Policy, n.d.).

 

Guidelines for Declaring the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Scientific Writing

Authors are expected to uphold established ethical standards in the use of Generative AI. They must ensure the protection of privacy, secure informed consent when applicable, and take measures to prevent potential harm. The ethical application of Generative AI should be guided by the principles of fairness, integrity, accountability, and social responsibility. Furthermore, all uses of Generative AI must involve active human oversight and verification, with authors responsible for critically reviewing, validating, and revising AI-generated outputs to address the technology’s potential for producing inaccurate, incomplete, or biased information.

1. Authors must include a statement of declaration on AI use in their manuscript.  The declaration shall specify the following:  AI tools/systems utilized, AI methodologies employed, source of datasets, and/or algorithmic systems used.  The declaration shall also provide a clear explanation of how these AI systems directly influenced the research process and outcomes. Essential tools used solely for grammar, spelling, and references are exempt from this disclosure requirement.

2. Generative AI and AI-assisted tools must not be listed or cited as authors or co-authors. Authorship duties and contributions are exclusively human responsibilities, as outlined in the journal’s AI policy for authors.

3. The journal upholds a strict policy permitting no more than 15% AI-generated text in any submitted manuscript. This limit is established to safeguard the integrity, originality, and scholarly quality of all publications. Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted content remains within this threshold and complies with all ethical and authorship guidelines of the journal.

 

Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Editorial Processes

1. Editors must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential. Uploading any part of a manuscript into a generative AI tool is prohibited, as it may violate author confidentiality and proprietary rights and potentially breach data privacy laws, mainly if it contains personally identifiable information (Publishing Ethics | Elsevier Policy, n.d.). 

2. Editors retain complete responsibility and accountability for all editorial process, including decision-making and author communication. Generative AI and AI-assisted tools must not be used for these essential functions due to their potential to produce inaccurate, incomplete, or biased outputs.

3. Editors suspecting a violation of AI policies by authors or colleagues should promptly inform the publisher.

 

Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in Journal Peer Review

1. When researchers are invited to review a manuscript, they must keep all materials confidential. Reviewers should not upload any portion of the manuscript into generative AI tools in order to protect author privacy, proprietary content, and data security. This confidentiality also applies to the review report, meaning AI tools should not be used to revise or improve its language (Publishing Ethics | Elsevier Policy, n.d.).

2. Reviewers suspecting a violation of AI policies by authors or colleagues should promptly inform the publisher.

 

References:

Generative AI for journal policies |Elsevier policy. (n.d.). https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/generative-ai-policies-for-journals

Publishing ethics | Elsevier policy. (n.d.). www.elsevier.com.
https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/publishing-ethics