The journal Systems and Computing (SyCom) recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used in research and academic writing. While these tools may support certain tasks, their use must remain transparent, responsible, and consistent with the principles of academic integrity and research ethics.

This policy defines the acceptable and unacceptable use of AI tools during the writing, submission, review, and editorial processes.

1. AI Use by Authors

1.1 Permitted Uses

Authors may use AI tools for limited technical assistance such as:

• Language editing and grammar correction

• Improving readability or clarity of the manuscript

• Formatting assistance

Such use must not affect the originality or scientific content of the work.

1.2 Prohibited Uses

AI tools must not be used to:

• Generate scientific results, data, figures, or tables without proper verification

• Produce the core intellectual content of the manuscript

• Fabricate references, citations, or experimental results

• Replace the authors’ scientific reasoning or interpretation

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of their manuscript.

1.3 Disclosure Requirement

If AI tools are used during manuscript preparation, authors must clearly disclose this use in a dedicated statement within the manuscript.

Example disclosure:

“The authors used an AI-based language editing tool to improve grammar and readability. The authors reviewed and approved all content and remain fully responsible for the manuscript.”

AI tools cannot be listed as authors because they cannot take responsibility for the work.

2. AI Use by Reviewers

2.1 Confidentiality Requirement

Manuscripts under peer review are confidential documents.

Reviewers must not upload, share, or disclose manuscripts to any AI system, automated tool, or external service.

This includes:

• AI chatbots

• Automated summarization tools

• AI-based reviewing systems

The use of such systems may violate author confidentiality and copyright.

2.2 Human-Generated Peer Review

Peer-review reports must be entirely generated by the reviewer.

AI tools must not be used to:

• Generate review reports

• Analyze or summarize manuscripts

• Produce comments or recommendations for editorial decisions

3. AI Use by Editors

Editors must ensure that editorial decisions are based on:

• Independent human evaluation

• Expert peer review

• Scientific merit and ethical standards

AI tools may be used for technical support, such as:

• plagiarism detection

• language checking

• administrative assistance

However, AI systems must not replace editorial judgment or decision-making.

4. Policy Violations

If a violation of this AI policy is suspected, the journal may take appropriate actions, including:

• Requesting clarification from authors or reviewers

• Rejecting the manuscript

• Retracting a published article

• Removing reviewers from the reviewer database

The journal reserves the right to investigate potential breaches in accordance with international publication ethics standards.