Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. In response to the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in scholarly communication, this policy outlines the acceptable use of AI technologies for authors, reviewers, and editors.

This policy aligns with international publishing standards, including recommendations from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and major academic publishers.

1. Use of AI by Authors

Permitted Uses of AI

Authors may use AI tools to support the preparation of their manuscripts in a responsible and transparent manner, including:

  • Language and Readability Improvement
    AI tools may be used to enhance grammar, spelling, and readability. Authors remain fully responsible for reviewing and validating all content.
  • Data Analysis Support
    AI tools may assist in data processing or analysis when used as part of a clearly defined research methodology. The use of such tools must be transparently described in the methodology section.
  • Illustrative or Supplementary Content
    AI-generated examples or visualizations may be used for illustrative purposes, provided they are clearly labeled and appropriately explained.

Prohibited Uses of AI

The following practices are not permitted:

  • AI as an Author
    AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors, as they cannot take responsibility for scholarly work.
  • Fabrication or Manipulation of Data
    AI must not be used to generate, falsify, or manipulate research data, results, or citations.
  • Misleading or Undisclosed AI Use
    Failure to disclose AI usage constitutes a breach of publication ethics.

Disclosure Requirement

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools in their manuscript. A statement must be included in the Acknowledgments or Methodology section specifying:

  • The name of the AI tool
  • The purpose of its use

Example:
“This manuscript was edited for language clarity using [AI Tool Name]. The authors take full responsibility for the content.”

Authors remain fully accountable for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their work.

2. Use of AI by Reviewers

Permitted Uses

Reviewers may use AI tools in a limited capacity to:

  • Improve the clarity and structure of their review reports
  • Verify references or factual information

Prohibited Uses

Reviewers must not:

  • Upload manuscripts or any part of them into AI tools or third-party platforms
  • Use AI to evaluate the scientific quality, originality, or significance of a manuscript

Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of submitted manuscripts
  • Report suspected misuse of AI, plagiarism, or data fabrication
  • Ensure that their assessments remain independent and unbiased

3. Use of AI by Editors

Permitted Uses

Editors may use AI tools for:

  • Administrative support and workflow management
  • Improving clarity in editorial communications

Prohibited Uses

Editors must not:

  • Rely on AI tools to make editorial decisions
  • Delegate peer review evaluation or final judgment to AI systems

Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for:

  • Ensuring compliance with AI disclosure requirements
  • Addressing ethical concerns related to AI use
  • Maintaining a fair, transparent, and unbiased peer review process

All editorial decisions must be made with human oversight and accountability.

4. Ethical Considerations

AI tools may produce inaccurate or misleading outputs (“AI hallucinations”). Therefore:

  • All users must critically evaluate AI-generated content
  • Authors, reviewers, and editors are fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all materials
  • The use of AI must comply with ethical principles, including transparency, accountability, and data integrity

5. Consequences of Misuse

Failure to comply with this policy may result in:

  • Authors: Rejection or retraction of manuscripts
  • Reviewers: Removal from the reviewer database
  • Editors: Investigation and corrective action

Serious violations may be reported according to publication ethics guidelines.

6. Commitment to Responsible AI Use

Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology supports the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in scholarly publishing. The journal continuously monitors developments in AI to ensure alignment with global best practices in academic publishing.

For further information, please contact: vocational@smpharapanananda.sch.id