The Journal of Economics and Business Letters acknowledges the rapid development and increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in academic research and scholarly communication. While AI tools can significantly support the research and writing process, the journal is committed to ensuring that their use aligns with the highest standards of research integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing.

Principles of Responsible AI Use

AI technologies, including language models, data analysis tools, and automated writing assistants, can be valuable in enhancing the efficiency and clarity of academic work. However, their use must remain supportive in nature and should not replace the intellectual contribution, critical thinking, and accountability of human authors.

Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, regardless of whether AI tools were used during the preparation process. The use of AI must not compromise the originality, accuracy, or reliability of the research.

Permissible Uses of AI

The journal allows the use of AI tools for specific purposes that support the writing and research process. These include:

• Improving grammar, spelling, and language clarity
• Assisting with formatting and structure
• Supporting literature search and summarization (with verification)
• Assisting in data organization and visualization (with proper validation)

In all cases, authors must carefully review and validate the outputs generated by AI tools to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.

Prohibited Uses of AI

The use of AI tools is strictly prohibited in ways that compromise research integrity. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Generating or fabricating research data or results
• Producing misleading, inaccurate, or unverifiable content
• Creating entire manuscripts without substantial human contribution
• Manipulating images, figures, or data in a deceptive manner
• Engaging in plagiarism or paraphrasing without proper attribution

Any misuse of AI that undermines the credibility of the research will be treated as a serious ethical violation.

Disclosure of AI Usage

Authors are required to disclose the use of AI tools if they have been significantly involved in the preparation of the manuscript. This disclosure should be clearly stated in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the acknowledgements or a dedicated disclosure statement.

The disclosure should include:

• The name of the AI tool used
• The purpose for which the tool was used
• The extent of its contribution to the manuscript

Transparency in AI usage helps maintain trust and allows editors and reviewers to better evaluate the manuscript.

Authorship and Accountability

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of a manuscript. Authorship implies responsibility, accountability, and the ability to respond to questions regarding the research—qualities that AI systems do not possess.

All listed authors must meet established authorship criteria and must take full responsibility for the content of the manuscript. This includes ensuring that any AI-assisted content is accurate, ethical, and properly disclosed.

Use of AI by Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers may use AI tools to support certain aspects of the editorial and review process, such as language checking or identifying potential issues in manuscripts. However, the use of AI must not compromise the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.

Manuscripts under review must not be uploaded to unauthorized AI platforms or shared with third-party systems that could store or reuse the content. Editors and reviewers must ensure that all manuscript data remains secure and confidential.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The journal places a strong emphasis on protecting the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts. The use of AI tools must comply with data protection standards and must not involve the sharing of sensitive or unpublished information with external systems without proper safeguards.

Authors, editors, and reviewers must exercise caution when using AI tools to ensure that confidential data is not exposed or misused.

Detection and Monitoring

The Journal of Economics and Business Letters may employ various methods to detect potential misuse of AI, including the use of specialized tools and editorial assessment. Suspicious patterns, inconsistencies, or anomalies in manuscripts may trigger further investigation.

The editorial team reserves the right to request clarification or additional information from authors regarding the use of AI tools in their work.

Consequences of Misuse

Any misuse of AI that violates the journal’s ethical standards may result in serious consequences, including:

• Rejection of the manuscript
• Retraction of a published article
• Notification to the author’s affiliated institution
• Temporary or permanent ban from future submissions

The severity of the action will depend on the nature and extent of the violation.

Alignment with Ethical Standards

The journal’s AI policy is aligned with broader ethical standards in academic publishing. It complements existing policies on plagiarism, data integrity, and authorship, ensuring a comprehensive approach to maintaining research integrity.

The journal continuously monitors developments in AI technology and updates its policies accordingly to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Education and Awareness

The Journal of Economics and Business Letters encourages authors, reviewers, and editors to stay informed about the ethical use of AI in research. The journal aims to promote awareness and understanding of best practices through clear guidelines and communication.

Authors are encouraged to use AI responsibly and to prioritize originality, accuracy, and ethical conduct in all aspects of their research.

Conclusion

Through this AI and Research Integrity policy, the Journal of Economics and Business Letters seeks to balance the benefits of technological innovation with the fundamental principles of academic integrity. The journal supports the responsible use of AI as a tool to enhance research quality, while ensuring that human judgment, accountability, and ethical standards remain central to the scholarly publishing process.

By adhering to these guidelines, authors, reviewers, and editors contribute to maintaining the credibility, reliability, and trustworthiness of academic research in economics and business.