Artificial Intelligence Policy

The Journal of Community Development Diversity (JCDD) acknowledges the evolving role of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) in academic research and writing. This policy establishes clear ethical guidelines and transparency requirements for the use of AI in manuscripts submitted to or reviewed for JCDD.

A. Authorship and Accountability

  1. AI Cannot Be an Author: Generative AI tools do not possess legal responsibility or accountability for the work. Therefore, an AI tool cannot be listed as an author or co-author on a manuscript submitted to JCDD.

  2. Human Responsibility is Paramount: The human authors are solely and fully responsible for the entire content of the manuscript. This includes:

    • The accuracy, validity, and integrity of all information, data, and analysis.

    • Ensuring the work is free from plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification.

    • Addressing any ethical concerns related to the research.

    • The entire writing process, even if AI-assisted.

B. Permissible Use and Mandatory Disclosure

JCDD permits the use of AI tools for specific, assistive purposes, provided their use is explicitly disclosed.

  • Examples of Permissible Use:

    • Improving the readability and language of text originally written by the authors (e.g., grammar checking, language polishing for non-native speakers).

    • Generating or refining ideas during the initial brainstorming or outlining phase.

    • Editing and summarizing the authors' own original text.

    • Checking or formatting references (with subsequent human verification).

  • Mandatory Disclosure in the Manuscript:
    Authors must include a statement in the "Acknowledgements" or a dedicated "AI Assistance Disclosure" section (placed before the References). The statement must detail:

    1. The name and version of the AI tool(s) used (e.g., ChatGPT-4, Claude 3).

    2. The specific purpose(s) for which the tool was used (e.g., "for language editing of the introduction," "to generate an initial outline of the literature review").

    3. The fact that the authors have critically reviewed and validated all AI-generated content and take full responsibility for it.

C. Prohibited Use

The following uses of AI are considered unethical and are strictly prohibited:

  • Using AI to generate core intellectual content (e.g., original theoretical frameworks, research conclusions, interpretations of data) without substantive human intellectual input and critical oversight.

  • Using AI to fabricate or synthesize research data, survey responses, or literature references.

  • Submitting manuscripts where the central argument, narrative, or findings are primarily AI-generated.

  • Using AI to write or generate peer review reports (see Section D).

D. AI Use in the Peer Review Process

  • Reviewers: The use of generative AI tools to analyze, write, or draft peer review reports is prohibited. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of peer review. Sharing an author's unpublished manuscript with a third-party AI platform (which may retain and use the data) constitutes a serious breach of confidentiality and ethical standards.

  • Editors: Editors must not use AI tools to make substantive editorial decisions. AI may be used administratively (e.g., for initial plagiarism screening using dedicated software like Turnitin, which is designed for this purpose).

E. Verification and Consequences

  1. Screening: The editorial office reserves the right to use AI-text detection tools as part of the screening process to identify potential policy violations. However, final judgments will be made by human editors based on a holistic assessment.

  2. Non-Compliance: Failure to disclose the use of AI, or violation of the prohibited uses, will be treated as a breach of publication ethics. Consequences may include:

    • Rejection of the manuscript.

    • Retraction of a published article.

    • Notification to the authors' institutions.

    • A ban on future submissions from the authors for a specified period.

This policy is subject to review as technology and scholarly norms evolve. Its ultimate goal is to harness technological innovation while safeguarding the human-centric integrity, originality, and ethical foundation of academic scholarship in community development.