Generative AI Policy

The Journal of the Ethiopian Society of Chemical Engineering (JESChE) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools may assist researchers in improving efficiency, language quality, data processing, and other aspects of scientific work. However, the use of AI tools must be transparent, responsible, and consistent with principles of research integrity and ethical publishing.

1. General Principles

Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, integrity, and scientific validity of all submitted manuscripts. The use of generative AI tools does not replace the responsibility of authors for the content of their work.

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors, co-authors, or contributors because they cannot take responsibility for the research, approve the final manuscript, or respond to questions about the work.

2. Acceptable Uses of Generative AI

Authors may use generative AI tools for limited support activities, including:

  • Improving grammar, spelling, and language clarity.
  • Assisting with formatting and organization of text.
  • Helping identify appropriate keywords.
  • Supporting literature organization.
  • Assisting with coding, programming, or data analysis when properly verified.
  • Generating ideas that are critically evaluated by the authors.

Authors must carefully review and verify all AI-assisted content before submission.

3. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI tools when such tools have contributed to the creation, modification, analysis, or presentation of manuscript content.

The disclosure should include:

  • Name of the AI tool used.
  • Purpose of use.
  • Sections of the manuscript affected.
  • Date or version of the tool where relevant.

Example disclosure:

"During manuscript preparation, the authors used [AI tool name] for language editing and improvement of readability. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the final manuscript."

4. Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

The following uses of AI tools are not acceptable:

  • Generating false research results, data, references, or scientific claims.
  • Fabricating experiments, images, figures, or datasets.
  • Submitting AI-generated text as original scholarly work without disclosure.
  • Using AI tools to manipulate peer review or editorial processes.
  • Creating misleading or inaccurate scientific information.

5. Authors' Responsibility

Authors are responsible for:

  • Checking the accuracy of AI-assisted content.
  • Ensuring proper citation of sources.
  • Preventing plagiarism and copyright violations.
  • Ensuring that AI-generated suggestions do not introduce errors or bias.
  • Maintaining confidentiality of unpublished research data.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Authors, reviewers, and editors should not upload confidential manuscripts, unpublished research data, reviewer reports, or personal information into publicly available AI tools unless appropriate security and confidentiality protections are confirmed.

7. Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must maintain confidentiality during peer review. They should not upload manuscripts or confidential review materials into generative AI systems that may store or process submitted content.

Reviewers may use AI tools only for limited assistance that does not compromise confidentiality, independence, or the integrity of the review process.

8. Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use appropriate AI-assisted tools for administrative or technical tasks, but editorial decisions must remain under human responsibility and professional judgment.

9. AI-Generated Images and Figures

Authors must disclose the use of AI-generated images, illustrations, diagrams, or figures. Such materials must comply with copyright, licensing, and research integrity requirements.

AI-generated images must not be used to create misleading representations of research results.

10. Ethical Compliance

Failure to disclose inappropriate AI use or misuse of AI tools may be considered a form of research misconduct and may result in rejection, correction, or retraction of published articles.

11. Policy Updates

Because generative AI technologies continue to develop rapidly, JESChE will review and update this policy periodically to reflect changes in scholarly publishing standards and ethical recommendations.

Contact Information

Journal of the Ethiopian Society of Chemical Engineering (JESChE)
Email: [Insert Journal Email Address]
Website: [Insert Journal Website]