AI POLICY

GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) POLICY

1.     INTRODUCTION

The Journal of Islamic Architecture (JIA) acknowledges the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, to support scholarly research and writing. Generative AI technologies can help researchers with brainstorming, exploring related literature, organizing data, refining language, coding assistance, and other scholarly endeavors. At the same time, JIA recognizes that the use of generative AI poses significant challenges to research integrity, authorship, accuracy, transparency, intellectual property, confidentiality, and data protection. Generative AI systems may produce inaccurate, biased, fabricated, or unverifiable content and may not provide reliable attribution for information, data, or sources. Therefore, the use of such technologies requires meaningful human oversight and responsible scholarly judgment.

In support of academic integrity and responsible scholarly practice, this policy draws on international principles and guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence in scholarly publishing, including:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics): Principles relating to authorship, accountability, publication ethics, and responsible use of AI.
  • Elsevier: Guidelines on responsible use of generative AI technologies in research and scholarly publishing.
  • STM: Industry initiatives and guidelines on responsible AI in scholarly communication.
  • WAME: Recommendations relating to chatbots, generative AI, and authorship, and accountability in scholarly publication.

JIA also considers the evolving policies and practices of leading scholarly publishers and research integrity organizations in developing and periodically updating this policy. JIA supports the responsible and transparent use of generative AI as a supporting technology in scholarly work. However, generative AI must not replace human intellectual contribution, critical judgment, research responsibility, or accountability. Authors, editors, and peer reviewers remain fully responsible for their respective roles and for ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, and ethical standards of the scholarly publication process. This policy establishes the principles governing the use of generative AI by authors, editors, and peer reviewers for manuscripts submitted to and published in JIA. The policy aims to provide clear guidance while recognizing the evolving nature of generative AI technologies and their applications in scholarly research and publishing. As generative AI technologies and their applications continue to evolve, JIA will periodically review and update this policy to ensure continued alignment with developments in scholarly publishing, research ethics, and academic integrity.

2.     DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE

For this policy, generative AI refers to technologies capable of generating or significantly modifying text, images, figures, computer code, audio, video, or other content. AI-assisted tools use AI to perform specific tasks, such as language editing, grammar and spelling checking, translation, literature organization, data processing, or coding assistance. This policy does not prohibit the legitimate use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational modeling, generative design, or other algorithmic methods when such technologies constitute a scientifically justified component of the research methodology. In such cases, the use, methodology, data, procedures, and validation must be fully described in the manuscript. This policy applies to authors, editors, and peer reviewers working on manuscripts submitted to or published in the Journal of Islamic Architecture (JIA).

3.     POLICY FOR AUTHORS

Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies as supporting tools in preparing scholarly manuscripts. Such use may include, but is not limited to, conceptual brainstorming, language refinement, literature organization, coding assistance, and other research-related support activities. However, generative AI must not replace human intellectual contribution, scholarly judgment, or accountability. Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, scientific validity, integrity, and ethical compliance of all content submitted to the Journal of Islamic Architecture (JIA), including any material generated, modified, or assisted by AI. Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship is limited to human individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the work and can take responsibility for its content and integrity.

Disclosure of Generative AI Use

Where generative AI or AI-assisted technologies have made a substantive contribution to the development, generation, or modification of manuscript content, their use must be transparently disclosed. To facilitate transparency and consistency, JIA provides a “Declaration of Generative AI Use” section in its manuscript template. Where applicable, authors should include this declaration in the final section of the manuscript, after the Acknowledgment section and before the References. The declaration should clearly state the name of the AI tool or system used, the version or model where available, the specific purpose of its use, and the extent of its contribution to the manuscript.

Example Declaration:

Declaration of Generative AI Use

The authors used [Name of AI Tool/Model, Version if available] to assist with [specific purpose of use]. The use of AI was limited to [briefly describe the extent of use and relevant manuscript sections or activities]. All AI-assisted outputs included in this manuscript were critically reviewed, verified, and revised by the authors. The use of AI did not replace the authors’ intellectual contribution or scholarly judgment. The authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, scientific integrity, and content of the manuscript.

Where artificial intelligence constitutes an integral part of the research methodology, its role must also be appropriately described in the relevant methodological section of the manuscript. This description should include the AI system used, its specific role within the research process, relevant data or inputs, procedures, and validation processes, where applicable. Routine use of basic spelling, grammar, or language-editing tools that does not generate or substantially modify scholarly content may not require disclosure.

Responsible and Prohibited Uses

Authors must ensure that the use of generative AI does not replace meaningful human intellectual contribution, scholarly judgment, or responsibility.

Authors must not use generative AI to:

  • Fabricate or falsify research data, findings, observations, or results
  • Generate fictitious, fabricated, or unverifiable references, citations, or sources
  • Generate research conclusions without appropriate scientific evidence and validation
  • Conceal substantial use of generative AI
  • Misrepresent AI-generated or AI-assisted content as independently produced without appropriate disclosure
  • Use AI-generated outputs without appropriate human review and verification

The use of generative AI in the creation or modification of images, figures, illustrations, or other visual materials requires particular caution. AI must not be used to fabricate, falsify, or materially manipulate visual evidence, empirical findings, or research data in a manner that could mislead readers. AI-generated or AI-assisted visual materials intended solely for illustrative or non-empirical purposes may be considered, provided that their use is appropriately disclosed and remains subject to editorial assessment. Authors must ensure that the use of generative AI does not compromise intellectual property rights, confidentiality, privacy, research ethics, or other applicable legal and institutional requirements.

4.     POLICY FOR EDITORS AND PEER REVIEWERS

Editors

Editors must maintain the confidentiality of all unpublished manuscripts and materials associated with the editorial process, including manuscript content, research data, figures, supplementary materials, peer-review reports, editorial correspondence, and submission metadata. Editors must not upload, copy, paste, or otherwise disclose confidential manuscript materials to publicly accessible or external generative AI systems unless such use has been explicitly authorized and appropriate confidentiality, data protection, and security safeguards are in place. Generative AI must not replace human editorial judgment or determine editorial decisions. Decisions concerning manuscript evaluation, peer-review processes, revision, acceptance, or rejection remain the responsibility of human editors. Editors may use AI-assisted technologies for limited administrative or non-confidential purposes, provided that such use does not compromise confidentiality, editorial independence, or professional responsibility.

Peer Reviewers

Peer review must remain a human-led process based on independent expertise, critical judgment, and professional responsibility. Reviewers must not upload or disclose unpublished manuscripts or related confidential materials to generative AI platforms without appropriate authorization and safeguards. Generative AI must not be used to read, summarize, analyze, evaluate, or generate substantive review comments based on an assigned manuscript. Reviewers may use AI-assisted tools solely for routine language refinement of their own review comments, provided that such use does not compromise manuscript confidentiality or expose unpublished content to external AI systems. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, fairness, quality, and integrity of their review reports.

5.     POLICY ENFORCEMENT AND RESPONSIBLE AI USE

JIA recognizes that AI-detection technologies may have limitations in accuracy and reliability. Therefore, AI-detection results must not be treated as conclusive evidence of generative AI use, authorship, research misconduct, or other violations of publication ethics. AI-detection tools may be used as preliminary indicators or supporting mechanisms during editorial assessment, but they must not be used as the sole basis for manuscript rejection or other editorial decisions. Any concerns must be evaluated through appropriate human judgment and relevant evidence.

Where concerns arise regarding undisclosed or inappropriate AI use, JIA may request clarification from the authors, request disclosure or revision, undertake further editorial assessment, or take other appropriate action in accordance with its publication ethics procedures. Serious violations involving fabrication, falsification, confidentiality breaches, or other forms of research misconduct may result in rejection or further action under applicable publication ethics procedures.

Authors, editors, and peer reviewers must ensure that their use of generative AI does not compromise intellectual property rights, copyright, confidentiality, privacy, or data protection. Confidential, proprietary, unpublished, personally sensitive, or third-party materials must not be submitted to AI systems without appropriate authorization and safeguards. Users of AI technologies should also consider the relevant platform's terms of use, privacy policies, data retention practices, and policies regarding the use of submitted content. JIA will periodically review and update this policy in response to developments in generative AI technologies, scholarly publishing practices, research ethics, and publication integrity.

6.     JIA GENERATIVE AI POLICY MATRIX

The following matrix provides a concise overview and quick reference to the key principles and requirements of JIA's Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. It summarizes the main positions of JIA regarding the permitted, conditional, required, and prohibited uses of generative AI and is intended to support authors, editors, and peer reviewers in applying this policy consistently throughout the scholarly publishing process.

Policy Status Legend

PERMITTED

Generally allowed, subject to appropriate human oversight and responsibility.

CONDITIONAL

Permitted only under specific conditions, such as disclosure, verification, or editorial assessment.

REQUIRED

A mandatory requirement that must be fulfilled when applicable.

PROHIBITED

Not permitted under JIA's Generative AI Policy.

POLICY AREA

JIA POLICY

STATUS

AI as an Author

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.

PROHIBITED

Limited AI Assistance

May be used as a supporting tool with meaningful human oversight.

PERMITTED

Substantive AI Use

Must be transparently disclosed when applicable.

REQUIRED

Human Accountability

Authors, editors, and reviewers remain fully responsible for their work.

REQUIRED

Fabrication of Data or Findings

AI must not be used to fabricate or falsify research evidence.

PROHIBITED

Fabricated References or Citations

AI-generated fictitious or unverifiable references are not permitted.

PROHIBITED

AI-Generated Research Evidence

AI must not generate or manipulate empirical evidence in a misleading manner.

PROHIBITED

AI-Assisted Illustrative Visuals

May be considered for non-empirical purposes with appropriate disclosure and editorial assessment.

CONDITIONAL

Editor Use of AI with Confidential Manuscript Content

Not permitted for confidential manuscript processing without explicit authorization and appropriate safeguards.

PROHIBITED*

AI in Editorial Decision-Making

Editorial decisions must remain under human responsibility.

PROHIBITED

Reviewer Use of AI for Manuscript Assessment

AI must not read, summarize, analyze, or evaluate confidential manuscripts.

PROHIBITED

AI Detection Tools

May be used only as preliminary indicators and not as conclusive evidence.

CONDITIONAL

Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

Must be protected throughout the use of AI technologies.

REQUIRED

Policy Compliance and Violations

Compliance with this policy is required. Concerns regarding violations are handled through editorial and publication ethics procedures.

REQUIRED

Periodic Policy Review

The policy will be periodically reviewed and updated.

REQUIRED

 

Note:

* The use of AI for processing confidential manuscript content is prohibited unless explicitly authorized and supported by appropriate confidentiality, data protection, and security safeguards.