Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Use Policy

1. Permissible Use of AI Tools in Manuscript Preparation.
   Authors are permitted to utilize generative AI or AI-assisted technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, DeepL, Grammarly) exclusively for linguistic enhancement purposes, such as improving grammar, style, or translation. Use of such tools must be limited to editorial assistance and must be conducted under direct human oversight.

AI tools must not be employed to:

• Generate or interpret research data or results
• Draft sections involving critical analysis or scientific claims
• Draw conclusions or construct the manuscript’s core intellectual content
• Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and academic integrity of all submitted material.

2. Disclosure of AI Tool Usage. Any use of generative AI in the preparation of a manuscript must be clearly acknowledged in a dedicated section of the submission, such as the Acknowledgments or Methods. Sample Disclosure Statement:
   “The authors acknowledge the use of [Tool Name, e.g., ChatGPT by OpenAI] to assist with language and stylistic editing during manuscript preparation. All substantive content was developed and verified by the authors.”
   Failure to disclose the use of AI tools constitutes a breach of transparency and may be considered a violation of ethical standards.
3. Authorship Criteria and AI. In accordance with international publication ethics (COPE guidelines), AI tools do not meet the requirements for authorship. They lack the ability to assume accountability for research integrity, interpret findings, or respond to editorial or ethical concerns. Consequently, no AI application or tool may be listed as an author or co-author. All authors listed must have made verifiable intellectual contributions and must take collective responsibility for the final work.
4. AI in Peer Review and Editorial Evaluation. Peer reviewers and editors are strictly prohibited from uploading manuscript content to publicly accessible AI platforms or tools for analysis, summary, or evaluation. Doing so may compromise confidentiality, violate data protection policies, and undermine the integrity of the review process. All assessments must be carried out independently by human reviewers, without reliance on automated systems for decision-making or critique.
5. Use of AI-Generated Figures, Visuals, or Data. Visual or data representations produced using AI technologies are generally discouraged unless:

• Their generation is explicitly described in the manuscript
• The use of AI is scientifically justified and subject to peer scrutiny
• They are clearly labeled as AI-generated or AI-assisted
• Any AI-derived imagery used to manipulate, fabricate, or misrepresent results constitutes research misconduct and may lead to manuscript rejection or retraction.

6. Ethical Compliance and Oversight. This journal adheres to the ethical publishing principles established. Misuse of AI tools, failure to disclose AI involvement, or attempts to circumvent authorship responsibilities will be treated as ethical violations and addressed in accordance with COPE-recommended procedures.