The use of artificial intelligence tools in the preparation of manuscripts
Editorial guidelines for Ethnological and Anthropological Studies (in accordance with COPE)

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools - such as ChatGPT and other large language models - in the process of preparing scientific publications is growing rapidly in all fields of research. The magazine „Studia Etnologiczne i Antropologiczne" recognizes this fact as an element of the modern academic ecosystem and refers to it in accordance with the principles of publication ethics defined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

COPE, working together with other international organizations, including the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) and the JAMA Network, makes it clear that artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors of scientific publications because they are not capable of meeting basic criteria for authorship, such as responsibility, accountability, and intellectual agency.

Disclosure, accountability and editorial evaluation

Disclosure of the use of AI tools in the field of linguistic, stylistic or structural editing of a text does not constitute a basis for rejecting the manuscript and should not be treated as a manifestation of academic unreliability. According to the COPE guidelines, ethical objections can only arise if there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been an incorrect presentation of authorship, originality, intellectual input, or scientific responsibility.

The editorial policy of the journal reflects the key principles of COPE:

(A) artificial intelligence tools may not be indicated or recognised as authors or co-authors of the publication;

1. B) transparency in the use of AI tools is required, including a brief description of how to use them (e.g. language correction, stylistic editing, reorganization of the text structure);
2. C) full responsibility for the content, substantive correctness, originality and integrity of the manuscript lies solely with the author or authors who are natural persons.

Therefore, the main ethical problem is not the mere use of AI-assisted tools, but the potential falsification of authorship or the transfer of intellectual responsibility to entities that cannot bear it.

Editorial practice and AI detection tools

As recommended by COPE, „Studia Etnologiczne i Antropologiczne" does not base editorial or review decisions on the results of AI-generated text detection software. Tools of this kind are not currently considered reliable enough to allow a clear distinction between scientific text edited using AI and fully original text. Editorial evaluation is therefore based on the principles of transparency, proportionality and accountability, rather than automated detection.

Authors are asked to attach a short statement informing whether and how AI tools were used in the process of preparing the submitted manuscript. This statement serves to ensure ethical transparency and does not adversely affect the course or outcome of the editorial or review process.

AI statement form (download).

Reference to the COPE guidelines
This policy is based on the official position of COPE:
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE Council).
COPE Council COPE position – Authorship and AI – English.
https://doi.org/10.24318/cCVRZBms
© 2024 Committee on Publication Ethics (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)