Artificial Intelligence Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Borneo Journal of Language and Education (BENJOLE) recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic research and scholarly publishing. The journal supports responsible and transparent use of AI while maintaining the principles of academic integrity, authorship responsibility, and ethical publishing practices.

This policy is established to ensure that the use of AI tools does not compromise the originality, accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability of published works.

1. General Principles

Artificial Intelligence tools, including generative AI and AI-assisted technologies, may be used to support certain aspects of research and manuscript preparation. However, AI tools cannot replace human intellectual contributions, critical thinking, academic judgment, and responsibility.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to BENJOLE because they cannot assume responsibility for the content, ethical compliance, accuracy, and integrity of scholarly work.

The final responsibility for all content, including ideas, arguments, data, analysis, interpretations, and conclusions, remains entirely with the authors.

2. Use of AI by Authors

Authors may use AI tools in limited and appropriate ways, including:

  • Improving language quality and readability;
  • Checking grammar, spelling, and writing style;
  • Assisting translation processes;
  • Supporting technical aspects of manuscript preparation.

However, authors must ensure that:

  • AI tools do not replace the authors' intellectual contribution;
  • AI-generated content is critically reviewed and verified by authors;
  • AI tools are not used to fabricate data, create false information, generate unsupported references, or manipulate research findings;
  • The use of AI does not violate research ethics or publication integrity.

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools when such use has a significant contribution to manuscript preparation. The disclosure should include:

  • The name of the AI tool used;
  • The purpose of its use;
  • The extent of its contribution.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the submitted manuscript.

3. Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use AI-assisted tools only to support administrative or technical aspects of journal management.

Editors must not:

  • Upload unpublished manuscripts or confidential editorial materials to public AI systems;
  • Use AI tools as a substitute for editorial judgment;
  • Delegate decisions regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts to AI systems.

All editorial decisions must be made by qualified human editors based on:

  • Academic quality;
  • Relevance to the journal scope;
  • Peer review results;
  • Ethical considerations.

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial team remain fully responsible for all editorial decisions.

4. Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and integrity throughout the peer review process.

Reviewers must not:

  • Upload submitted manuscripts or confidential materials to AI tools;
  • Use AI systems to generate review reports without personal evaluation;
  • Allow AI tools to replace their own critical assessment and scholarly judgment.

Reviewers remain responsible for ensuring that their evaluations are:

  • Independent;
  • Objective;
  • Constructive;
  • Based on academic expertise.

5. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors who use AI tools in the preparation of manuscripts must provide appropriate disclosure.

The disclosure may be included in the Acknowledgement section or another appropriate section of the manuscript.

Example:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] for [specific purpose]. The authors have reviewed and verified all AI-assisted content and remain fully responsible for the final published work."

The use of AI for basic spelling or grammar correction may not require disclosure unless it substantially influences the manuscript preparation process.

6. Prohibited Uses of AI

The following uses of AI are considered unacceptable:

  • Listing AI tools as authors or contributors;
  • Generating fabricated data or research results;
  • Creating false citations or references;
  • Producing manuscripts without meaningful human intellectual contribution;
  • Manipulating images, figures, or research evidence without disclosure;
  • Using AI tools to compromise peer review confidentiality.

Such practices may be considered violations of research and publication ethics.

7. Handling Violations of AI Policy

If the journal identifies inappropriate or undisclosed use of AI, BENJOLE may take appropriate actions according to publication ethics procedures, including:

  • Requesting clarification from authors;
  • Requiring manuscript revision;
  • Rejecting submitted manuscripts;
  • Publishing corrections;
  • Retracting published articles in serious cases.

All cases will be handled according to ethical principles and relevant guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

8. Human Responsibility and Editorial Accountability

BENJOLE emphasizes that AI tools are supportive technologies and cannot replace human responsibility in scholarly publishing.

Authors, editors, and reviewers remain accountable for maintaining:

  • Academic integrity;
  • Research transparency;
  • Publication ethics;
  • Reliability of the scholarly record.

Policy Statement

BENJOLE is committed to promoting responsible, transparent, and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence technologies in scholarly communication while ensuring that human expertise, accountability, and academic integrity remain central to the research and publication process.