AI Tools Usage Policy

Introduction

DIDAKTIKA Religia: Journal of Islamic Education acknowledges the transformative capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic publishing. From enhancing linguistic clarity to aiding in data analysis and automating components of content preparation, AI technologies can offer substantial benefits to authors and researchers. However, their use must be carefully regulated to preserve academic integrity, originality, transparency, and accountability.

This policy articulates the journal’s stance on the ethical and responsible deployment of AI tools in the preparation of manuscripts. It aims to provide clarity, minimize ambiguity, and remain aligned with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)’s Core Practices and its ongoing discussions regarding AI in editorial and publishing processes.

Definition of AI Tools

For the purpose of this policy, AI tools refer to software, platforms, or systems that leverage artificial intelligence methodologies—such as machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), or deep learning—to generate, edit, translate, summarize, or analyze textual, numerical, visual, or audio content in academic contexts.

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Generative language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other large language models (LLMs)
  • Writing and editing tools like Grammarly, DeepL Write, and Quillbot
  • AI-driven software for data analysis and visualization
  • AI systems for creating figures, graphs, or statistical representations
  • AI-based tools for literature reviews and citation generation

Acceptable Use of AI Tools

Authors may employ AI tools for certain limited purposes, provided the following conditions are strictly adhered to:

Permissible Uses:

  • Correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation
  • Enhancing clarity, tone, or writing style
  • Formatting references and citations
  • Conducting preliminary literature searches
  • Supporting (but not replacing) statistical modeling or analysis
  • Creating visual aids or illustrations, if ethically sourced and critically reviewed

Prohibited Uses:

AI tools must not be employed to:

  • Generate entire manuscripts or significant portions of original content without appropriate attribution and human oversight
  • Fabricate or falsify data, findings, or visuals
  • Translate scholarly content without human verification
  • Summarize or paraphrase existing literature in ways that constitute plagiarism
  • Produce content that infringes upon copyright or uses third-party materials without authorization

Author Responsibilities

Authors bear full responsibility for all content submitted to Didaktika Religia, including materials created or refined with AI assistance. Authors must:

  • Ensure the accuracy, originality, and trustworthiness of AI-generated content
  • Prevent and identify instances of plagiarism, bias, hallucination, or factual inaccuracies
  • Properly cite and acknowledge any external data, materials, or AI-suggested sources
  • Assume full accountability for any errors, ethical breaches, or misrepresentations resulting from AI use
  • Rigorously review and revise AI-generated output to meet disciplinary standards

Authorship and AI

AI tools are not eligible for authorship or co-authorship under any circumstances. Authorship is reserved exclusively for individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the work and can be held accountable for its content.

Listing AI tools as authors, contributors, or co-authors in any form (including author notes or contribution statements) is strictly prohibited and may result in rejection or retraction.

Disclosure Requirements

Authors must provide full, transparent disclosure of AI usage beyond the permissible categories. Disclosures must include:

  • The name, version, and developer of the AI tool
  • A concise explanation of its purpose and extent of use
  • A statement affirming the authors’ full responsibility for all AI-assisted content

Placement of Disclosures in Manuscripts

Depending on the nature of AI tool usage, disclosures must appear in one or more of the following sections:

  1. Methods Section. If the tool was used in data analysis, figure creation, programming, or other research processes.
  2. Acknowledgments Section. If the tool was employed to enhance language, translation, or formatting.
  3. Dedicated Statement Section: Authors are encouraged to include a separate section titled "Declaration of AI Tool Usage", with language such as:

“During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors utilized [insert AI tool name, version, and developer] for [describe purpose and extent of use]. All AI-generated content was thoroughly reviewed and revised by the authors to ensure factual accuracy and academic quality. The authors accept full responsibility for the content and integrity of this manuscript.”

Editorial and Peer Review Oversight

Editors and reviewers will assess disclosures regarding AI usage during their ethical and methodological evaluation of submissions. If undisclosed or inappropriate AI use is suspected, the editorial team may:

  • Request clarification or revisions from the author(s)
  • Reject the manuscript
  • Initiate a formal investigation or refer the matter to the author’s institution if ethical misconduct is suspected

Didaktika Religia does not rely solely on automated tools to assess AI-generated content. All evaluations are subject to human judgment and direct communication with authors.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-adherence to this policy may result in:

  • Immediate rejection of the submission
  • Post-publication retraction
  • Formal notification to the author’s affiliated institution
  • Prohibition from future submissions in cases of severe or repeated violations
  1. Appeals and Dispute Resolution

Authors who disagree with editorial decisions regarding AI use may submit a formal written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief. Appeals must clearly articulate the grounds for dispute, include supporting evidence, and reference the relevant sections of this policy. Appeals will be reviewed by an internal ethics committee or, if warranted, referred to an independent COPE advisor.

Use of AI by the Editorial Team

Didaktika Religia does not employ AI tools to autonomously determine editorial or peer review outcomes. Any future use of AI by the editorial team will be disclosed transparently and will be accompanied by human oversight and final decision-making authority.

Policy Updates and Author Guidance

This policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect evolving AI technologies, emerging ethical concerns, and best practices in scholarly publishing. Authors are advised to consult the most recent version of this policy prior to submission and to seek clarification from the editorial office if uncertain about compliance.

Didaktika Religia encourages the responsible adoption of innovative technologies while remaining steadfast in its commitment to academic rigor and ethical publication standards.

Ethical Framework and References

This policy is informed by the ethical standards and guidance documents issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), including:

  • COPE Core Practices
  • COPE Discussion Document on Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making
  • COPE Guidelines on Authorship and Contributorship
  • COPE Retraction Guidelines

All authors submitting to Didaktika Religia are expected to adhere to these principles as a condition of publication.