Generative AI Policy

Generative AI Policy

COMMUSTY: Journal of Communication Studies and Society recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and similar technologies, are increasingly used in research and writing. This policy, aligned with the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), sets out how such tools may be used by authors, reviewers, and editors.

1. For Authors

  • AI cannot be an author. AI tools cannot meet the requirements of authorship because they cannot take responsibility for the work, approve the final version, or be held accountable. AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors.
  • Authors remain fully responsible. Authors are accountable for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content in their manuscript, including any parts produced with the assistance of AI tools.
  • Permitted use. AI tools may be used to assist with language editing, improving readability, or organizing ideas, provided the authors critically review and revise the output.
  • Prohibited use. AI tools must not be used to fabricate or manipulate data, invent interview quotes or survey responses, generate fictitious references, produce research findings, or create images or figures presented as original research data.
  • AI in research methods. If AI tools are used as part of the research process (for example, for transcription, coding, content analysis, or sentiment analysis of media data), this must be described in the Methods section, including the tool, its version, and how the results were verified by the researchers.
  • AI as a research object. Studies that analyze AI-generated content (such as AI-generated news, advertising, or social media posts) are welcome. Examples of such content must be clearly labeled as AI-generated in the manuscript.
  • Disclosure. Substantive use of AI tools (beyond basic spelling and grammar correction) must be disclosed in a statement titled Declaration of Generative AI Use, placed before the References section, stating the name of the tool, the purpose of its use, and the sections where it was applied. Example: "During the preparation of this work, the authors used [tool name] to improve the readability of the Introduction. The authors reviewed and edited the content and take full responsibility for the publication."

2. For Reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload manuscripts, or any part of them, to generative AI tools, as this may violate confidentiality, the double-blind review process, and the authors' rights.
  • Reviewers must not use AI tools to write or generate review reports. The scientific assessment of a manuscript requires the reviewer's own expert judgment.

3. For Editors

  • Editors must not upload submitted manuscripts or editorial correspondence to generative AI tools.
  • Editorial decisions must be made by the editors and must not be delegated to AI tools.

4. Verification and Consequences

The editors may use detection tools and their own assessment to identify undisclosed or inappropriate AI use. Manuscripts found to violate this policy may be rejected before publication, or corrected or retracted after publication, in accordance with the journal's Allegations of Research Misconduct and Correction and Retraction Policy.

5. Contact

Questions about this policy may be sent through the journal's Contact page.