AI Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The Journal of Digital Learning and Education (JDLE) recognises that generative AI and AI-assisted tools (for example large language models, AI writing assistants, translation tools, and AI image generators) are now part of research and writing practice. This policy follows the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) on authorship and AI tools and applies to authors, reviewers, and editors. Responsibility for the content of a published article always rests with the human authors.

1. Policy for authors

  • AI tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author, because they cannot take responsibility for the work, give consent, or hold copyright.
  • Authors may use AI tools to support writing, editing, language improvement, or translation. All such use must be disclosed in a "Declaration of AI Use" placed before the References, stating the name and version of the tool, the purpose of use, and the sections affected. Authors must review and verify all AI-assisted output and remain fully accountable for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.
  • If AI tools are part of the research method (for example for data coding, text analysis, model development, or content generation), their use must be described in the Methods section, including the tool, version, prompts or settings where relevant, and how outputs were validated.
  • Authors must not use AI to fabricate or manipulate data, results, citations, or references. Every reference must be checked against the original source. AI-generated or AI-altered images and figures are not accepted unless they are the subject of the research and are labelled as such.
  • Routine spelling and grammar checkers do not require disclosure.
  • If no AI tool was used, authors are encouraged to state this in the declaration.

2. Policy for reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, or their review report to a public or third-party AI tool.
  • Reviewers must not use AI tools to generate the substance of a review. The evaluation must be the reviewer's own scholarly judgement. Language polishing of a reviewer's own text is acceptable if no confidential content is shared with the tool.

3. Policy for editors

  • Editors must keep submissions and decision correspondence confidential and must not enter them into public AI tools.
  • Editorial decisions are made by people. AI-assisted tools may be used only for technical screening, such as similarity checking or format checking, and their output must be reviewed by an editor before any action is taken.

4. Non-compliance

Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI tools, including fabricated references or data, is handled as a possible case of research misconduct under the procedures described in the Publication Ethics statement. Consequences may include rejection, correction, retraction, and notification of the authors' institution.

5. Review of this policy

Because AI technology and publishing guidance change quickly, JDLE reviews this policy regularly and updates it when needed.

Related pages: Author Guidelines, Peer Review Process, Publication Ethics.