Generative AI Policy

Overview

Journal of Community Development and Innovation (JCDI) acknowledges the growing role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in supporting research, academic writing, and editorial workflows when applied ethically and responsibly. This policy aims to guide for authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in the use of AI tools throughout the publication process. The journal follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and may periodically revise this policy in accordance with emerging best practices and technological developments.

For Authors

Authors may utilize generative AI and AI-assisted technologies to assist with activities such as language improvement, literature organisation, and idea development. However, these technologies must not replace human originality, scholarly analysis, or critical thinking. Authors remain entirely responsible for the accuracy, validity, originality, and integrity of all materials submitted to the journal.

Any content generated or supported by AI tools, including text, data, figures, or visuals, must be carefully reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors before submission to ensure authenticity and academic integrity. The use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed through an AI Declaration Statement during submission, clearly stating the name of the tool, its intended purpose, and the extent of its use. Routine proofreading support, such as grammar or spelling correction, does not require disclosure.

AI technologies cannot be recognized as authors or co-authors because authorship requires human intellectual contribution, accountability, and responsibility. In addition, the use of AI to create or manipulate images, figures, tables, or research data is prohibited unless it constitutes a necessary and clearly described component of the research methodology.

For Reviewers

All manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers are prohibited from uploading manuscripts or any portion of the submitted materials into AI platforms or third-party AI systems, as this may compromise confidentiality, privacy, and data security. Likewise, reviewers should not use AI technologies to generate or substantially edit peer review reports.

The peer review process requires independent scholarly assessment, critical judgment, and ethical responsibility that cannot be delegated to AI systems. Reviewers remain fully accountable for the integrity, quality, and content of their review reports.

For Editors

Editors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality and integrity throughout the editorial and peer review process. Manuscripts, editorial correspondence, reviewer comments, and decision letters must not be uploaded to external AI systems for processing, summarisation, or editing.

Editorial decisions must be based on human expertise, scholarly evaluation, and ethical consideration. Editors may use institutionally approved or licensed AI-supported technologies for limited administrative functions, such as plagiarism screening, language checking, or reviewer recommendation, provided that these tools comply with ethical, confidentiality, and data protection standards.

Commitment to Ethical AI Use

Journal of Community Development and Innovation (JCDI) supports the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies that enhance research efficiency and scholarly communication while safeguarding confidentiality, intellectual property, privacy, and academic integrity. Transparency regarding AI use strengthens trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers and reinforces the ethical foundation of scientific publishing.