AI Policy

POLICY ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND AI-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGIES

EarthXplorer Journal (EXJ)

1. Author Responsibilities & Authorship Criteria

  • No Authorship for AI: AI tools, Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, and AI-assisted software cannot be listed as authors or co-authors on any manuscript submitted to EarthXplorer Journal. Authorship implies legal, ethical, and academic accountability, which AI systems cannot fulfill.

  • Human Accountability: Authors remain 100% accountable and responsible for the accuracy, integrity, scientific rigor, and original interpretation of all content, data, and conclusions presented in their manuscript.

2. Permissible Use of AI

  • Language & Writing Assistance: Authors may use AI tools solely for improving readability, grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

  • Technical & Coding Support: AI tools may be used to assist with code formatting, script debugging, or data processing, provided the underlying scientific methodology and analysis originate from the authors.

3. Disclosure & Transparency

  • Mandatory Declaration: Authors must explicitly disclose the use of AI tools in their cover letter and in an "AI Declaration" section at the end of the manuscript (before References).

  • Required Details: The declaration must specify the name of the AI tool, the version, the developer/company, and the specific purpose for which it was used.

  • Example Statement: "During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [Tool Name, Version] to [improve language and grammar / assist in formatting code]. The authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the final publication."

4. Prohibited Uses of AI

  • Data & Figure Generation: AI tools must not be used to create, manipulate, or alter original scientific data, research results, figures, charts, or primary research images.

  • Literature Fabrication: Authors must ensure that all references, citations, and literature reviews generated or summarized by AI are verified against primary sources. Fabricated or hallucinated citations are considered scientific misconduct.

5. AI Use in Editorial & Peer Review Processes

  • Reviewer Confidentiality: Peer reviewers and editors are strictly prohibited from uploading submitted manuscripts, titles, abstracts, or figures into public AI platforms or tools. Uploading unpublished manuscripts to AI systems violates author confidentiality and intellectual property rights.