Gen AI Policy

Generative AI Policy

Introduction

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Deepseek, Copilot, and similar large language models (LLMs), Islamic Banking and Finance recognize both the potential benefits and the significant risks associated with their use in academic writing. This policy provides clear guidance on the acceptable and unacceptable uses of generative AI in the preparation of manuscripts submitted to our journals. The policy applies to all authors, reviewers, and editors.

Core Principle: AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Human authors are fully responsible for all content submitted.

Permitted Uses of Generative AI

Under certain conditions, the use of generative AI is permitted for the following purposes:

Use Case	Permitted	Conditions
Language Polishing (Grammar, Spelling, Phrasing)	Yes	Must be disclosed in acknowledgments or methods section
Paraphrasing assistance	Yes	Author must verify accuracy and originality
Generating synonyms or alternative wording	Yes	AI-generated text must be reviewed and edited by author
Summarizing literature (for personal use)	Yes	AI-generated text must be reviewed and edited by author
Translation assistance	Yes	Must be disclosed; author responsible for accuracy
Code or formula generation (for quantitative analysis)	Yes	Must be documented and verified

Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

The following uses of generative AI are strictly prohibited:

Prohibited Use	Reason
AI listed as a co-author	AI lacks legal status, accountability, and cannot consent to publication terms
Generating entire sections or the whole manuscript	Violates originality and authorship requirements
Creating fake data, citations, or references	Constitutes research misconduct (fabrication)
Bypassing plagiarism detection	Unethical and undermines integrity
Producing critical analysis or interpretation	Human reasoning and expertise are essential
Altering submitted images, figures, or data visualizations	May distort scientific findings
Writing peer review reports	Violates confidentiality and undermines review quality

Author Responsibility and Accountability

Regardless of AI use, the following responsibilities remain solely with the human author(s):

Responsibility	Description
Originality	The work must be original and free from plagiarism
Accuracy	All facts, data, citations, and references must be accurate and verifiable
Ethics Compliance	Research must comply with ethical standards (informed consent, IRB approval, etc.)
Conflicts of interest	All relevant conflicts must be disclosed
Final approval	All authors must approve the final version before submission

Warning: AI tools can generate false information (hallucinations), including fake citations, fabricated data, or incorrect interpretations. Authors are fully responsible for detecting and correcting such errors.

Policy for Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors are strictly prohibited from:

• Uploading manuscripts (full text, partial text, or abstract) into any generative AI tool
• Using AI to write peer review reports
• Using AI to summarize manuscripts for review purposes

Reason: Manuscripts are confidential documents. Uploading them to third-party AI tools may violate confidentiality agreements and intellectual property rights.

Exception: If a journal-approved AI tool is integrated into the submission system (e.g., for grammar checking), this will be clearly stated and applies only to that specific tool.

Detection of AI-Generated Content

Islamic Banking and Finance reserve the right to screen submitted manuscripts using AI-detection tools (e.g., Turnitin AI Detection)

AI Detection Result	Action
Low probability	Normal peer review
Moderate probability	Author may be asked for clarification or disclosure
High probability (without disclosure)	Manuscript returned; author required to revise and provide disclosure
Entire sections clearly AI-generated (undisclosed)	Rejection; potential ethical investigation

 

Violations and Sanctions

Violation	Sanction
AI listed as co-author	Immediate rejection; correction of authorship if already published
Undisclosed generative AI use (significant)	Rejection; author notified; possible 1-year submission ban
Fabricated data, citations, or content via AI	Retraction (if published); 3-year submission ban; notification to institution
Reviewer/editor using AI to review	Removal from review team; possible ban from reviewing

References and Sources

This policy is informed by:

• Elsevier – The use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in scientific writing
• COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) – AI in Publication Ethics
• WAME (World Association of Medical Editors) – Chatbots and Generative AI