Artificial Intelligence Policy

1) Purpose & Scope

This policy governs the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—including large language models, code and image generators, and AI-assisted analytics—by authors, editors, and reviewers across the entire JECE publication workflow. It prioritises transparency, accountability, and integrity to protect the scientific record in electrical and computer engineering.

2) Core Principles

AI is not an author. Only humans can take public responsibility for the work.
Transparent disclosure. Any AI use must be clearly described in the manuscript (see Section 4).
Human accountability. Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and ethics of all content—AI-assisted or not.

3) Use of AI by Authors

Permitted with disclosure

Language polishing, phrasing, and readability improvements that do not alter scientific meaning.
Routine automation (e.g., reference reformatting) with manual verification of citation accuracy.
Early ideation or outlining when subsequently and substantively edited by the authors.
Data analysis or code generation where the methods are transparent, reproducible, and validated.

Restricted / use with caution

Creation of synthetic data, enhancement of images, or visual manipulation that could mislead—allowed only with explicit labelling, scientific justification, and full audit trails. Raw/source data may be requested.

Not permitted

Listing AI systems as authors or corresponding authors.
Delegating substantive sections (Methods/Results) to AI without rigorous human verification and ownership.
Using AI to mask plagiarism or to generate fabricated references, data, or claims.

4) Mandatory Disclosure

Authors must include a “Use of AI” statement in the Acknowledgments (or in Methods when AI is integral to analyses, images, or code). The statement must name the tool (e.g., “ChatGPT, OpenAI”), the version or access date, the purpose and scope of use, and the quality-assurance steps taken by the authors.

Example (editable template provided below):

The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, accessed on DD Mon YYYY) for language polishing and preliminary phrasing in the Introduction. All AI-assisted text was reviewed, edited, and verified by the authors for accuracy and originality. No AI tools were used to generate or manipulate experimental data or images.

5) Originality, Citations, and Screening

Authors must verify the factual accuracy and authenticity of any AI-suggested content, equations, or references (to prevent “hallucinated” citations).
JECE may use plagiarism detection, image forensics, and proportionate AI-pattern screening. Failure to disclose AI use or misrepresentation may lead to rejection, retraction, and institutional notification.

6) AI-Assisted Code, Software, and Datasets

Describe tools, prompts/workflows, and parameters essential for reproduction.
Provide repository links and licensing information where possible; include tests/validation.
Ensure compliance with third-party licences and intellectual property rights.

7) Figures, Diagrams, and Media

Clearly label AI-generated or AI-assisted visuals. Do not alter the scientific meaning through aggressive enhancement or synthesis.
For denoising/upscaling or segmentation performed by AI, report the software, version, and parameters. Retain source files for auditing.

8) Editors and Reviewers

Editors may use AI for limited administrative support (e.g., drafting reminders) but not to formulate editorial decisions or final decision letters.
Reviewers must not upload manuscripts to public AI tools without explicit permission, to protect confidentiality. If a reviewer used AI in a limited, non-disclosive way (e.g., language clarity checks), this must be declared to the editor; the reviewer remains fully responsible for the scholarly assessment.

9) Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Protection

Do not share confidential data, patient/participant identifiers, or embargoed materials with third-party AI services unless legally permissible and consented.
Comply with institutional and funder policies on data governance and security.

10) Handling Potential Breaches

Minor issues (e.g., incomplete disclosure): request for revision and clarification.
Major issues (e.g., fabricated data/references, undisclosed AI manipulation, confidentiality breaches): desk rejection, retraction if published, reporting to institutions, and potential submission bans.

Actions will align with widely accepted publication-ethics guidance and flowcharts.

11) Summary Table — What Is Allowed and What Must Be Disclosed

Use Case	JECE Policy	Disclosure
Language polishing / readability	Permitted	Acknowledgments note
Ideation / outlining with substantive human editing	Permitted	Acknowledgments note
AI-assisted analytics / code generation	Permitted with transparency and validation	Methods + reproducibility details
Synthetic data / visual manipulation	Restricted / may be declined	Explicit labelling + justification
Listing AI systems as authors	Not permitted	Not applicable

12) Pre-Submission Checklist for Authors

Have you disclosed the AI tool(s), version/access date, purpose, and your human QA steps?
Have you verified all AI-suggested facts, equations, and references?
For AI-processed figures or data, have you labelled them and retained source files for auditing?
For AI-assisted code, have you provided reproducibility details, tests, and appropriate licensing?

13) “Use of AI” — Author Declaration Template

Copy and customise the paragraph below in your manuscript:

14) Policy Maintenance

JECE will review and update this policy as AI technologies and community standards evolve. The most current version will be available on the journal website.