Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Introduction
The editorial board of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Oeconomia (ASPE) recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including generative systems, can support the creation and publication of scholarly works, e.g., by improving language, readability, and text structure. At the same time, AI cannot replace the creative, critical, and responsible contribution of humans to scientific research.
All individuals involved in the publishing proces authors, reviewers, and editors are fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and reliability of the materials entrusted to them. The use of AI must be explicitly disclosed in the article, and AI cannot be listed as an author or co-author.

This policy defines the principles for the responsible and transparent use of AI in the publication process.

Definitions

• AI-assisted tools - tools used for language correction, translations, grammar checking, or improving the clarity and structure of the text; these tools do not independently create scientific content.
• Generative AI- systems capable of creating new content (e.g., text, images, data), such as large language models (LLMs) or image generators.

1. Principles for Authors

1.1. Permitted Uses
AI may only be used for:

• Language correction, translations, and stylistic improvements,
• Enhancing the clarity and organization of text,
• Generating charts and visualizations based on the author’s own data (similar to other software, e.g., Excel),
• Adjusting brightness, contrast, or color balance in illustrations and images, provided that the changes do not obscure or remove any information from the original,
• Creating or modifying illustrations, images, and artworks if the use of AI or AI-assisted tools is part of the research plan or methodology (e.g., in AI-assisted imaging methods for generating or interpreting research data) and is fully described in the methodology section (including tool name, version, and scope of use).

Prohibited Uses
AI must not be used for:

• Creating substantive scientific content, analyses, or graphical abstracts,
• Creating or modifying illustrations, images, and artworks when such use is not part of the research plan or methodology.

1.2. Disclosure Requirement
Any use of generative AI must be clearly disclosed in the article (e.g., in the “Materials and Methods” section or a separate declaration). Authors should specify:

• The name and version of the tool,
• The date of use,
• The purpose and scope of use (including prompts used, if applicable).

1.3. Statement
When submitting a manuscript, authors are required to declare whether and to what extent AI tools were used. Failure to provide this declaration may result in manuscript rejection.

1.4. Responsibility and Consequences
Authors bear full responsibility for the content and originality of the article. Undisclosed or improper use of AI (e.g., generating incorrect content, plagiarism, misleading information) will be considered a breach of publication ethics and may result in:

• Rejection of the manuscript,
• Retraction of a published article,
• Sanctions in accordance with COPE guidelines.

The editorial board reserves the right to use AI content detection tools.

2. Principles for Reviewers

2.1. Confidentiality
Reviewers must treat all materials received as confidential. Entering manuscripts or review reports into AI tools is prohibited, as it violates copyright, confidentiality, and data protection.

2.2. Scope of Use
AI cannot be used to evaluate the scholarly content of manuscripts. Review reports must fully reflect the reviewer’s knowledge and critical thinking.

2.3. Limitations
Preparing reviews using AI, in whole or in part, is prohibited. Reports generated in this way will not be considered, and the reviewer may be excluded from further collaboration.

3. Principles for Editors

3.1. Confidentiality
Editors may not use AI to process manuscripts or handle confidential correspondence with authors or reviewers.

3.2. Decision-Making Process
All editorial decisions must be based on the editor’s knowledge, competence, and responsibility; AI cannot replace this process.

3.3. Supportive Uses
AI-assisted tools (e.g., for finding reviewers) may be used provided ethical principles and confidentiality are maintained. AI must not be used to summarize unpublished research or edit confidential documents.

4. Procedures in Case of Misuse

• Any suspicion of undisclosed or improper AI use will be handled according to COPE guidelines and the editorial board’s internal procedures.
• Confirmed misuse may result in manuscript rejection, retraction of a published article, or termination of collaboration with a reviewer.
• Reviewers and editors are obliged to report any suspected violations of AI use policies.

5. Final Provisions
   AI may support the publication process but can never replace the responsible and creative work of researchers. The foundation of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Oeconomia’s publishing activities is ethics, transparency, and scientific integrity.
6. Policy Review and Changes
   This policy is subject to periodic review and updates to align with evolving standards and practices in scholarly publishing.