Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

For Authors

The Journal of Diversity Studies recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies can support researchers during manuscript preparation when used responsibly and transparently. Authors may use AI tools to improve efficiency, language clarity, and organization; however, such tools must not replace human intellectual contribution, critical analysis, or scholarly judgment.

Permitted Use

Authors may use AI tools for:

Language editing (grammar, spelling, readability)
Structuring and organizing text
Summarizing literature for personal understanding
Assisting in idea refinement under human supervision

All AI-assisted content must be carefully reviewed, edited, and validated by the authors to ensure accuracy, originality, and academic integrity.

Author Responsibility

Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including:

Verifying the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated outputs
Ensuring references, data, and interpretations are correct and not fabricated
Preventing bias, misinformation, or ethical violations
Ensuring compliance with data privacy and intellectual property rights

AI tools must not be used to generate falsified data, manipulated images, or misleading results.

Disclosure Requirement

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools at the time of submission by including an AI Declaration Statement. The statement should specify:

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

Use of AI in research design, data analysis, or interpretation must be clearly described in the Methods section. Routine grammar or spell-checking does not require disclosure.

Accountability

AI tools cannot be listed as authors. All accountability for the work remains solely with the human authors.

Authorship Policy

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, must not be listed as authors or co-authors, nor cited as authors in any manuscript submitted to the journal. Authorship implies intellectual contribution, ethical responsibility, and scholarly accountability—roles that can only be fulfilled by human researchers. All individuals listed as authors must meet accepted authorship criteria. Specifically, each author must:

Make a significant intellectual contribution to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation of the work
Participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript
Approve the final version of the manuscript prior to submission
Accept responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the work

Authors are collectively responsible for ensuring that the manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, and does not violate copyright, data privacy, or third-party rights. Any concerns related to the validity, accuracy, or ethical integrity of the work must be appropriately investigated and resolved by the authors.

Use of AI Tools in Figures, Images, and Visual Content

The journal does not permit the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create, fabricate, or modify images or figures included in submitted manuscripts. Prohibited practices include:

Adding, removing, relocating, or altering visual elements
Enhancing or obscuring specific features that may affect data interpretation
Generating synthetic images intended to represent research results

Limited image adjustments such as brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable only when they do not alter, misrepresent, or obscure the original information contained in the image.

To safeguard research integrity, the journal may apply image forensics tools or other specialized software to identify potential image manipulation or irregularities.

Exception: AI Use as Part of Research Methods
The use of AI or AI-assisted tools in image generation or analysis may be permitted only when such use is an integral part of the research design or methodology (e.g., AI-based medical imaging, automated image analysis). In such cases, authors must:

Clearly describe the AI use in the Methods section
Specify the tool or model name, version number, and developer/manufacturer
Explain how the AI contributed to image creation or interpretation
Ensure that the methodology is transparent and reproducible

Authors may be required to submit original, unprocessed images or raw data for editorial review if requested.

Artwork, Graphical Abstracts, and Cover Images

The use of generative AI tools to create artwork or graphical abstracts is not permitted.
AI-generated images for journal cover art may be considered only with prior approval from the Editor and Publisher. Authors must demonstrate that:

All intellectual property and usage rights have been secured
Proper attribution is provided
The content complies with ethical, copyright, and publishing standards

For Reviewers

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Peer Review Process

Peer review is a cornerstone of scholarly publishing and relies on the integrity, confidentiality, and expert judgment of human reviewers. Reviewers invited to evaluate manuscripts for this journal are expected to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Confidentiality of Manuscripts and Review Reports

All submitted manuscripts must be treated as strictly confidential documents. Reviewers must not upload, share, or input any part of a manuscript into generative AI or AI-assisted tools. Doing so may:

Violate the authors’ confidentiality and intellectual property rights
Breach data protection and privacy regulations, particularly if the manuscript contains personally identifiable information

This confidentiality obligation also applies to peer review reports. Reviewers must not upload their review comments into AI tools, even for purposes such as language editing, summarization, or readability enhancement, as review reports may contain sensitive or confidential information.

Prohibition of AI Use in Scientific Evaluation
Reviewers are not permitted to use generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to conduct or support the scientific assessment of a manuscript. Peer review requires:

Independent critical thinking
Subject-matter expertise
Contextual judgment and ethical responsibility

These responsibilities cannot be delegated to AI systems. The use of AI tools in peer review poses risks, including the generation of inaccurate, incomplete, or biased assessments. Reviewers remain fully responsible and accountable for the content, quality, and conclusions of their review reports.

Transparency Regarding Author AI Declarations

Authors submitting manuscripts may be permitted to use AI tools during manuscript preparation, subject to proper oversight and disclosure. When applicable, such disclosures will be clearly stated in a dedicated AI declaration section within the manuscript, typically located before the reference list. Reviewers are encouraged to consider these disclosures as part of their overall evaluation.

Use of AI by the Publisher

The journal and publisher may employ identity-protected, AI-assisted technologies during editorial and administrative processes, such as:

Initial manuscript screening
Plagiarism and completeness checks
Reviewer selection and workflow optimization

These in-house or licensed tools operate in compliance with responsible AI principles, data privacy laws, and confidentiality standards. They are rigorously evaluated for bias and security and do not compromise the anonymity or rights of authors or reviewers.

Commitment to Ethical and Responsible Peer Review

The journal supports the careful and responsible integration of AI technologies that assist editors and reviewers without replacing human judgment. We remain committed to safeguarding confidentiality, upholding peer review integrity, and continuously improving editorial processes through ethically governed innovation.

For Editors

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Editorial Process
Editors of the Journal of Diversity Studies play a central role in safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality, and quality of the scholarly record. All editorial activities must be conducted in accordance with ethical publishing standards and respect for authors’ intellectual property and privacy.

Confidentiality of Manuscripts and Editorial Communications

All submitted manuscripts must be treated as strictly confidential documents. Editors must not upload, share, or input any part of a manuscript into generative AI or AI-assisted tools, as this may:

Compromise author confidentiality and proprietary rights
Breach data protection and privacy regulations, particularly where manuscripts contain sensitive or personally identifiable information

This confidentiality obligation also applies to editorial communications, including reviewer invitations, decision letters, and correspondence with authors. Editors must not upload such communications into AI tools, even for the purpose of improving language, formatting, or readability.

Editorial Judgment and Decision-Making

The editorial evaluation and decision-making process requires independent human judgment, subject expertise, and ethical responsibility. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies must not be used by editors to:

Evaluate the scientific merit of a manuscript
Interpret reviewer comments
Make acceptance, revision, or rejection decisions

The critical thinking, contextual understanding, and accountability required in editorial decisions cannot be delegated to AI systems. Editors remain fully responsible for the editorial process, final decisions, and all communications with authors.

Author AI Disclosures and Policy Compliance

Authors may be permitted to use AI tools during manuscript preparation, provided such use is transparent and properly disclosed. Editors should review any AI declaration statements included in submitted manuscripts, typically located in a dedicated section before the reference list. If an editor suspects that an author or reviewer has violated the journal’s AI or ethical policies, the matter should be promptly reported to the publisher or editorial office for further investigation in line with established procedures.

Publisher-Supported AI Technologies

The journal may employ identity-protected, AI-assisted systems during administrative and editorial workflows, such as:

Initial manuscript screening
Plagiarism and completeness checks
Reviewer identification and workflow management

These tools are designed to support, not replace, editorial judgment and operate in compliance with responsible AI principles, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.

Commitment to Responsible Innovation

The Journal of Diversity Studies supports the responsible adoption of AI technologies that enhance editorial efficiency while preserving transparency, fairness, and academic integrity. All AI use within the editorial process must respect the rights and confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and editors and must never compromise the human-centered nature of scholarly evaluation.

Publication Process

Use of AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Publication Workflow

The Journal of Diversity Studies is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publishing while continuously improving the experience for authors, reviewers, and editors. As part of this commitment, the journal responsibly explores the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency across the publication process. The primary objective of using AI tools is to support human expertise, not to replace editorial judgment or scholarly decision-making. All AI-assisted processes operate under strict human oversight to preserve academic integrity and trust in published content.

AI Support in Editorial and Submission Management

Editors may have access to AI-assisted tools that help streamline administrative aspects of the editorial workflow, including:

Identifying and suggesting suitable peer reviewers based on expertise and publication history
Matching submitted manuscripts to the journal’s scope and thematic areas
Detecting duplicate or closely related submissions

These tools assist editors in managing submissions efficiently while ensuring that final decisions remain the responsibility of human editors.

Author Support Tools

Authors may be supported through AI-assisted systems designed to improve submission guidance and journal navigation. These tools may:

Help authors identify journals aligned with their manuscript’s subject area
Suggest alternative publication options if a submission is not accepted, based on scope compatibility and editorial recommendations. Such tools aim to enhance author experience while respecting transparency and editorial independence.

AI Use in Technical and Integrity Checks

AI-assisted technologies may be used by the journal’s publishing team to support:

Technical checks for adherence to submission guidelines and manuscript completeness
Research integrity screening, including plagiarism detection and policy compliance
Identification of potential inconsistencies or formatting issues during post-acceptance stages such as copyediting and proof preparation. These systems help improve efficiency and accuracy but do not replace expert editorial or ethical review.

Human Oversight and Accountability

The Journal of Diversity Studies ensures that human oversight remains central at every stage of the publication process. AI tools function solely as supportive mechanisms, empowering editors, reviewers, and publishing staff to make informed and responsible decisions. Accountability for editorial outcomes always rests with qualified human professionals.

Journal-Specific Implementation

The extent and application of AI-assisted technologies may vary depending on editorial needs and journal policies. Authors, reviewers, or editors with questions regarding AI use in the publication process are encouraged to contact the journal’s editorial office directly for clarification.