Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-Assisted Technologies Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies may support researchers, authors, editors, and reviewers in various aspects of scholarly research and publication. Golden Ratio recognizes the potential benefits of these technologies while emphasizing research integrity, transparency, originality, confidentiality, and human accountability.

1. Acceptable Use of AI

Authors may use AI and AI-assisted technologies as supplementary tools in the research and manuscript preparation process, provided that such use does not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, critical judgment, or responsibility for the work.

Acceptable uses may include, but are not limited to:

  • language improvement, grammar, spelling, and readability;

  • translation and language assistance;

  • assistance with coding or computational tasks;

  • data processing, statistical analysis, or other analytical procedures, where scientifically appropriate;

  • literature organization or summarization;

  • assistance with data visualization and other technical tasks.

The use of AI must be appropriate to the research methodology and must not compromise the accuracy, validity, originality, or integrity of the research. Where AI or AI-assisted technologies form part of the research methodology, such as data processing, statistical analysis, computational modelling, or other analytical procedures, their use should be appropriately described in the Methods section where relevant.

2. Human Responsibility and Accountability

Authors remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, originality, interpretation, and conclusions of their manuscripts, regardless of whether AI or AI-assisted technologies have been used. AI-generated or AI-assisted outputs must be critically reviewed and verified by the authors before being incorporated into a manuscript. Authors are responsible for independently verifying the accuracy and relevance of factual claims, references, citations, data, interpretations, and other information produced or assisted by AI. The use of AI does not reduce, transfer, or replace the authors' responsibility for the scholarly work.

3. Prohibited Uses of AI

AI and AI-assisted technologies must not be used to:

  • replace the authors' substantial intellectual contribution, including the development of arguments, scholarly analysis, interpretation of findings, or conclusions;

  • generate a manuscript or substantial portions of a manuscript without meaningful human intellectual contribution, critical evaluation, and accountability;

  • fabricate, falsify, manipulate, or selectively alter research data, results, references, citations, or other scholarly evidence;

  • generate or modify research evidence in a manner that creates a false or misleading representation of the research;

  • conceal the substantive use of AI where disclosure is required;

  • create fabricated, unverifiable, or non-existent references or citations.

Any use of AI that compromises research integrity, originality, transparency, or scholarly accountability may be considered inappropriate.

4. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must transparently disclose the substantive use of AI or AI-assisted technologies in the preparation or conduct of their research.

Where disclosure is required, authors should identify:

  • the AI tool or technology used;

  • the purpose for which it was used; and

  • the relevant stage or component of the research or manuscript preparation process.

Where appropriate, disclosure should be included in the Methods section, Acknowledgments, footnote, or another suitable section of the manuscript, depending on the nature of the AI use.

For example:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] to assist with [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed, verified, and revised the resulting output and remain fully responsible for the final content of the manuscript."

Routine use of basic spelling, grammar, formatting, or readability assistance does not necessarily require separate disclosure unless such use materially affects the scholarly content of the manuscript.

5. AI-Generated References and Information

AI systems may generate inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or non-existent references and factual information. Authors must independently verify all references, citations, factual claims, and other scholarly information generated or suggested by AI before inclusion in the manuscript. Authors remain responsible for ensuring that all cited sources are authentic, relevant, accessible, accurately represented, and appropriately cited.

6. AI-Generated Images and Other Research Outputs

The use of generative AI to create or substantially modify figures, images, photographs, visual evidence, or other research outputs must not result in the fabrication, falsification, or misleading presentation of research evidence. Where such use is relevant to the scholarly content of the manuscript, it must be transparently disclosed and appropriately described. Authors remain responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted visual materials accurately represent the underlying research and do not mislead readers.

7. Confidentiality and Use of AI by Editors and Reviewers

Editors and peer reviewers must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and unpublished research materials. Manuscripts, reviewer reports, confidential correspondence, research data, or other unpublished materials must not be uploaded to external generative AI systems when doing so may compromise confidentiality, privacy, intellectual property, or the rights of authors. Editors and peer reviewers must not use AI-assisted technologies as a substitute for their independent scholarly judgment. Peer reviewers must not use generative AI to generate, replace, or substantially formulate peer-review reports.

8. AI and Authorship

AI systems and AI-assisted technologies cannot be listed as authors, co-authors, or contributors holding authorship responsibility. Authorship requires human responsibility for the intellectual content of the work. Authors must therefore retain full responsibility for the manuscript, its scholarly claims, and its conclusions.

9. Editorial Screening and Research Integrity

Golden Ratio may use appropriate editorial screening and research-integrity tools as part of its publication and quality-control procedures, including similarity checking and other available technologies. Such tools are supporting mechanisms and do not replace editorial judgment, peer review, or human assessment. Where concerns regarding inappropriate or undisclosed use of AI arise, the journal may request clarification, supporting information, or additional evidence from the authors. Where appropriate, the journal may take further action in accordance with its publication ethics policies and procedures.