Journal Editorial Policy on AI

Last updated Monday, September 21, 2026

For the purposes of this policy1, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are computing systems–typically those developed using machine-learning techniques and trained over large data sets–that produce outputs or exhibit behaviour based on probabilistic models. These include but are not limited to systems such as large language and other corpus models; tools that use such models to produce synthetic text, images, video, and other media (commonly referred to as generative AI or GenAI); and data-analysis and pattern-recognition software.

This policy governs the acceptable use of AI tools by CAUT Journal authors, reviewers, and editors.

Authors

An AI tool cannot be an author. GenAI tools (e.g., ChatGPT and other large language models) do not meet the criteria for authorship because they cannot take legal or ethical responsibility for the work, manage copyright agreements, or assert the absence of conflicts of interest. Human authors are solely responsible and accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the entire manuscript.

Permissible Use

Authors may use AI tools to:

  • Assist with language editing tasks during manuscript preparation, such as minor editing and formatting, proofing, assistance with spelling and grammar, and obtaining suggestions for improving language clarity and readability
  • Translation support
  • Generating alternative text for images and other media

Restricted Use

AI tools cannot stand in for authors. Authors are prohibited from using AI tools to:

  • Generate data, references, or citations
  • Generate images, figures, or other media
  • Produce manuscript text, beyond the permissible uses specified above

The above includes that authors cannot automate the incorporation any revisions recommended by reviewers or required by the editors. When in doubt about the acceptable use of AI tools, authors must contact the editor for guidance.

Disclosure

Any use of AI tools must be disclosed at the time of submission, either in a footnote on the first page of the manuscript or in one or more clearly marked sections for this purpose. For each tool used, the disclosure must, at a minimum, include the name and version of the tool and describe the specific task performed using the tool. When the use of AI tools was integral to the research methods employed, the description must be sufficient for other researchers to accurately reproduce the work.

Disclosures should cover any use of AI tools, including but not limited to the following:2

  • Manuscript preparation, including for permitted uses as described above
  • Use of AI tools for conceptualizing the research and conducting literature reviews
  • Use of AI tools for data collection, data analysis, data curation, and interpretation
  • Use of AI tools for other aspects of study planning and execution

In addition, where AI tools have been used for any of the following, authors should discuss any known or potential tool biases or limitations in the appropriate section(s) of the manuscript: conceptualization, methodology, information collection (e.g., literature review), data collection, execution of other research procedures, data curation, data analysis, or interpretation.

Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must not upload any part of a manuscript into an AI tool. Uploading manuscripts violates authors’ confidentiality and proprietary rights.

When drafting reviews, requests for revisions, and written rationales for recommendations or decisions, reviewers and editors may use AI tools for the same language editing purposes as or authors (e.g., minor editing and formatting, proofing, assistance with spelling and grammar, and obtaining suggestions for improving language clarity and readability). All other uses of AI tools by reviewers and editors are prohibited.

Reviewers concerned about an author’s use or possible use of AI tools, including when insufficient disclosure is suspected, should contact the editor, if possible prior to submitting the review.

Reviewers with questions or concerns about their own use of AI should contact the editor. An editor with a question or concern about AI use or about the application or interpretation of this policy should raise it with the Journal’s Editorial Committee.

1 This policy is based in part on the guide and template provided by the Canadian Association of Learned Journals.

2 See the AID framework for a more comprehensive list.