Author Guidelines of the Use of Generative AI

Castledown Publishers (herein, “the publisher”) recognizes the evolving role of generative AI in academic research and writing. Authors are permitted to use AI tools for specific tasks, such as information gathering, data analysis, paraphrasing, and textual editing. However, the final work must remain the intellectual creation of the author(s). The following guidelines outline the acceptable and unacceptable use of generative AI in manuscripts:

1. Permitted Uses of Generative AI

Provided that authors declare their usage, they may use generative AI tools for:

Gathering Information: AI may assist in locating information, articles, and references.

Data Analysis: AI tools can play a role in quantitative or qualitative analyzing data such as statistical analysis or identifying patterns or behaviors in the data.

Paraphrasing and Rewriting: AI tools can help paraphrase sections of text, provided that the meaning and context are clearly understood and verified by the author.

Textual Editing: AI-based language tools can be used to correct grammar, punctuation, or style to improve the clarity of the text.

2. Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

Authorship: Generative AI must not be credited as an author under any circumstances. The intellectual contributions, research, analysis, and conclusions must be the work of the listed authors.

Manuscript Generation: The submission of work that was wholly or primarily generated by AI but is declared as being written by the author may be considered unethical and potentially illegal, as outlined in Clause 6 below.

3. Declaration of Generative AI Use

Any use of generative AI tools must be transparently disclosed. Authors must include a subsection titled "Use of Generative AI" directly before the references section of the manuscript. This section must outline how AI was used in the preparation of the work, including the specific tools and tasks involved. An example is provided below:

Use of Generative AI

This manuscript made use of [Tool Name] to assist in paraphrasing and improving the clarity of text and [Tool Name] for the analysis of qualitative data in [list of tables and/or figures]. No AI tools were used for the generation of research hypotheses or the writing of conclusions. The final manuscript was authored and reviewed by the listed authors without additional AI input.

Note that this declaration will not appear in the final published version of the article.

4. Author Responsibility

Accuracy: Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy of the content in their manuscripts. The use of AI does not absolve authors of their duty to ensure the reliability of facts, citations, and interpretations.

Integrity: Authors must not rely on AI for critical thinking, analysis, or hypothesis formation. These elements are core to academic work and must come from the author's expertise and understanding.

5. Consequences of Misuse

Any failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in:

Manuscript Rejection: The manuscript may be rejected without the possibility of resubmission.

Retraction: If an AI-generated manuscript is discovered post-publication, the publisher reserves the right to retract the publication.

Disciplinary Actions: Authors found misusing AI may face disciplinary actions in accordance with their institution’s policies and relevant laws.

6. Legal Implications

Misrepresenting authorship of a manuscript may fall under fraud or misrepresentation in accordance with academic integrity standards, and could also contravene laws around plagiarism and intellectual property, including, but not limited to:

Australia: Copyright Act 1968
China: Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China (revised 2020)
European Union: Copyright Directive (Directive 2001/29/EC) and Digital Single Market Directive (Directive 2019/790)
France: Code de la Propriété Intellectuelle
Germany: Urheberrechtsgesetz (Copyright Law)
Japan: Copyright Act (Act No. 48 of 1970)
Saudi Arabia: Copyright Law of Saudi Arabia (Royal Decree No. M/41, 2003)
South Korea: Copyright Act
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights
United Kingdom: Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988
United States: Lanham Act and Copyright Act

Many countries are also signatories to international treaties such as the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the WIPO Copyright Treaty, which impose international standards requiring human originality for copyright protection. Submitting AI-generated work as original human-authored content may lead to legal consequences under these laws, including potential breach of publication contracts.

These guidelines ensure that authors can use AI responsibly while maintaining the integrity and originality of their scholarly work.