AI Policy

The use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Manuscript Preparation

With rapid advances in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools are increasingly being used in research and scholarly writing. When applied responsibly, these tools can help researchers work efficiently, analyze complex literature, summarize a field or research question, identify gaps, generate ideas, and support tasks such as organizing content and refining language for clarity.

Scifiniti Publishing recognizes the value of these tools but emphasizes that human oversight, critical thinking, and subject-matter expertise remain essential. AI outputs cannot substitute human evaluation, interpretation, or judgment, and authors remain fully accountable for the integrity and accuracy of their work.

Scifiniti strongly adheres to the industry best practices and in accordance with the COPE statement regarding the use of AI in manuscripts. AI tools, including but not limited to large language models (LLMs), image generators, translation/writing assistants cannot take responsibility for submitted work, declare conflicts of interest, or manage copyright and licensing agreements, and therefore cannot be listed as authors.

Guidelines for AI Use

a): AI as Assistance Only

AI tools may support manuscript preparation, research synthesis, or writing tasks. However, all AI-generated content must be thoroughly checked, validated, and revised by the authors. The final manuscript must reflect the authors’ own ideas, analysis, and interpretations. AI cannot replace human critical thinking or scholarly judgment.

b): Accountability

Authors are fully responsible for their work. This includes:

1. Accuracy and reliability: Verifying all AI-generated content, including references and sources, as AI may produce errors or fabricated information.
2. Original contribution: Ensuring the manuscript represents the authors’ authentic ideas, insights, and analysis.
3. Transparency: Clearly disclosing any AI-assisted work to maintain trust with editors, reviewers, and readers.

c): Editing and Adaptation

AI-generated material must be carefully adapted to reflect the authors’ own analysis, interpretations, and expertise. The final manuscript should demonstrate the authors’ intellectual contribution, rather than reliance on AI outputs.

d): Responsible Use and Data Privacy

Authors must use AI tools responsibly and ethically, ensuring compliance with data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal requirements. Before using any AI tool, authors should:

• Review the tool’s terms and conditions, including rights over submitted data and outputs.
• Ensure no personally identifiable information, unpublished manuscript content, or copyrighted material is misused.
• Confirm that AI-generated images, figures, or other media comply with copyright, privacy, and ethical standards, avoiding likenesses of individuals, brands, or protected works.
• Check AI outputs for factual accuracy, potential bias, or ethical concerns.

e): Disclosure

The use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed either:

• In a separate AI Declaration section in the manuscript.
• Acknowledgements, or Materials and Methods section.

Authors should document:

• The name of the AI tool used.
• The purpose of its use.
• The extent of human oversight applied.

Routine grammar, spelling, or formatting corrections performed by AI do not require disclosure.

f): Authorship

AI tools cannot be credited as authors, as they cannot assume responsibility, approve the final manuscript, declare conflicts of interest, or manage copyright and licensing matters. Authorship is reserved for humans who can take full accountability for the work.

g):  Ethics and Integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring the transparency, originality, and integrity of their work, including AI-assisted content. Manuscripts must comply with publication ethics, including plagiarism, originality, and data integrity standards.

h): Peer Review and Safeguards

If involved in peer review, authors and reviewers must ensure that manuscripts or unpublished content are not uploaded into AI tools without proper safeguards.

Generative AI images

Scifiniti recognizes the growing role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in creating visual content and is committed to ensuring transparency, research integrity, and ethical compliance in all submissions. AI-generated images may be used only for illustrative purposes, such as:

• Graphical abstracts or visual summaries
• Conceptual or schematic illustrations
• Educational or explanatory diagrams

These images must not represent primary research data or experimental findings. Their purpose is to enhance comprehension and visualization, not to substitute for authentic experimental results.

AI-generated images must never be used to:

• Depict experimental or clinical data (e.g., microscopy, radiology, spectra, gels, or blots)
• Fabricate, manipulate, or alter research findings
• Mislead readers regarding the origin, authenticity, or accuracy of the data

Authors remain fully responsible for the integrity, reproducibility, and accuracy of all content submitted.

When AI-generated images are included, authors must provide a clear disclosure stating:

• The AI tool used, including name and version
• The purpose of the AI-generated image
• Confirmation that the image has been reviewed and validated by the authors

In addition to the above declaration, any AI-generated or AI-assisted image must be labeled in the caption as “AI-generated/AI-assisted image.”

Authors are responsible for ensuring:

• They hold the rights to publish AI-generated images
• The AI tool’s licensing terms permit commercial academic publication
• The images do not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights
• If the AI-generated image incorporates copyrighted material and the author cannot provide permission, Scifiniti may request that the author replace the image with an alternative

Scifiniti assumes no liability for copyright disputes arising from improper use of AI-generated content. The editorial office reserves the right to:

• Reject AI-generated images at its discretion
• Request original files or evidence of human review
• Ensure compliance with this policy at any stage of submission or publication

If the editorial office identifies concerns regarding potential AI-generated images, the authors will be notified and given an opportunity to respond and provide clarification before any further action is taken.

AI use by Peer Reviewers

When Scifiniti invites a reviewer to review a manuscript, reviewers are required to maintain strict confidentiality. Manuscripts must never be shared with third parties or uploaded to any AI tools or external platforms, as this would violate the journal’s privacy policies, author confidentiality, and copyright regulations.

Reviewers are expected to assess the manuscript solely based on their expertise and judgment. If reviewers suspect any AI-generated content in the manuscript, they should contact the editorial office for guidance rather than analyzing the manuscript through external AI tools.

Limited use of AI tools is permitted only for preparing the reviewer’s own report, such as improving grammar, spelling, punctuation, or clarity. Under any circumstances, the manuscript itself must never be uploaded to any AI tool. Also, reviewers are recommended to disclose the use of AI (if used) in preparing the review when submitting the report. AI tools cannot be used to assess, interpret, or judge any part of the manuscript.

Reviewers are strongly encouraged to follow these guidelines strictly to preserve the integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards of the peer review process.

AI use by Editors

Editors are entrusted with maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and professional judgment throughout the editorial process.

Editors are strictly prohibited from using AI tools to evaluate, assess, or make any editorial decisions regarding submitted manuscripts. All decisions ABOUT revision, acceptance, or rejection must be based solely on the editor’s independent expertise and professional judgment.

Manuscripts under consideration are confidential documents. Editors must not upload manuscripts, reviewer reports, or any portion of submission content to external AI tools or platforms, as doing so may breach confidentiality, copyright, and data protection obligations.

Limited use of AI tools may be permitted only for linguistic or administrative assistance, such as improving grammar, spelling, clarity, or formatting in editorial correspondence. AI tools must not influence or contribute to the scientific assessment, ethical evaluation, or decision-making process.

Editors may use AI tools that are officially provided or approved by Scifiniti, provided that such tools operate within the publisher’s secure environment and comply with confidentiality and data protection standards.

• Even when using publisher-approved AI tools:
• AI must not replace the editor’s independent judgment.
• Final decisions—including reviewer selection, requests for revision, acceptance, or rejection—must be made solely by the editor.
• AI outputs must be reviewed critically and not relied upon without human oversight.

Editors are strongly required to adhere strictly to this policy to preserve the integrity, confidentiality, and independence of the editorial process.

Use of AI and Automated Tools at Scifiniti Publishing

1: Similarity and AI Content Screening

Scifiniti Publishing uses the Crossref Similarity Check service powered by iThenticate to screen submitted manuscripts for textual similarity. The same system is also used for AI-content detection functionalities available within iThenticate. These tools assist the editorial office in identifying potential overlap or AI-generated patterns; however, all reports are carefully reviewed and interpreted by qualified editorial staff.

If concerns arise regarding possible AI-generated images or undisclosed AI use, the authors will be informed and given an opportunity to respond and provide clarification before any further editorial action is taken.

2: Reviewer Selection Tools

Scifiniti utilizes reviewer recommendation tools integrated within our manuscript submission platform to support reviewer selection.

These tools provide suggestions based on subject relevance; however, reviewer expertise, academic credentials, publication record, and suitability are independently verified by the editorial team before assignment. Editorial judgment remains central to the reviewer selection process.

3: Language and Production Support

After final acceptance of a manuscript, Scifiniti Publishing may use language-support tools such as Grammarly to improve grammar, clarity, and readability. Language tools are used only to enhance linguistic quality and must not alter the scientific meaning of the content.

All suggested changes are carefully reviewed and monitored by our in-house production editors to ensure accuracy and preservation of the authors’ intended meaning. If any substantive edits are required, they are communicated to the authors for review and approval.

4: XML Conversion and Technical Processing

Scifiniti uses automated XML conversion tools during the production stage to facilitate indexing, archiving, and online publication formatting. These tools support technical structuring only and do not alter the scientific content of the manuscript.

Scifiniti ensures that all automated and AI-supported tools are used within secure environments and under strict editorial oversight. AI systems are employed solely to support efficiency and quality control, and they do not replace human editorial judgment or decision-making at any stage of the publishing process.