Introduction:
Artificial intelligence is considered one of the emerging and influential technologies in various pillars of human society. This influence is now very evident in the scientific growth of societies, the formation of articles in scientific journals, and various fields of knowledge. Therefore, the main policy of the Iranian Information Technology Audit Scientific Association, aiming to create transparency in the effective and responsible use of artificial intelligence, while enhancing scientific capabilities, leads to the preservation of ethical and scientific principles. These tools can help researchers and scholars access scientific resources more effectively and quickly, solve complex problems, and improve their documentation. However, these tools should not replace critical thinking, researcher creativity, deep data analysis, or original scientific research.
Due to recent advances in artificial intelligence technology and its increasing application in scientific research, Journal of Information System and Technology Auditing has updated its sevenfold policies, especially regarding authors' use of artificial intelligence tools. These policies, aimed at preserving originality, transparency, and scientific integrity while observing research ethics, have been formulated as described below.
1. Transparent Declaration of the Use of Artificial Intelligence
Authors are obliged, if they have used artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, and other linguistic or analytical models) in producing any part of the article content, drafting, rewriting, translation, data analysis, or visualization, to explicitly declare the tool used, its function, and the manner of its use in the "Acknowledgments" or "Methodological Note" section of the article.
2. Non-Delegation of Writing Responsibility to Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence tools should not be introduced as authors of the article. These tools cannot take responsibility, declare conflicts of interest, or interact with the review and revision processes of the article. Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the article remains with the human authors.
3. Ethical and Non-Destructive Use
The use of artificial intelligence should not lead to data fabrication, production of false content, distortion of results, or violation of the principles of scientific integrity. If such cases are detected, the article will be rejected at any stage of the review process or after publication, and appropriate measures will be taken according to the regulations on scientific misconduct.
4. Reviewing without Reliance on Artificial Intelligence Tools
Reviewers are also not permitted to use artificial intelligence tools in reviewing and writing review reports without explicit mention. Any use must be accompanied by a statement of the tool, the extent of its involvement, and the type of use.
5. Education and Empowerment
The journal strives, through continuous education of authors, researchers, and reviewers on the proper use of artificial intelligence, to provide grounds for enhancing scientific ethics and utilizing modern technologies in the service of original research.
6. Journal Policy on Violations Related to Artificial Intelligence
If the journal determines that the use of artificial intelligence has been unacceptable, non-transparent, or deceptive, the necessary actions will be taken in accordance with COPE guidelines, including an official warning, retraction of the article, issuance of a correction notice, or declaration of scientific misconduct.
7. Review and Updates
Given the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technology, this policy will be continuously reviewed and updated to remain aligned with the latest legal and ethical considerations of publishing policy.
The journal expects respected authors to apply modern technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, in the knowledge production process with transparency, responsibility, and accountability, in line with the latest standards of publication ethics. However, the following recommendations are important for the various pillars of the scientific journal.
· For Editors-in-Chief, Scientific Editors, and Editorial Board Members
◆ The journal supports artificial intelligence technologies that respect data confidentiality and privacy rights.
◆ Peer review and editorial evaluations must be conducted by humans, not artificial intelligence.
◆ Editors-in-Chief, scientific editors, and editorial board members should refrain from using artificial intelligence tools for manuscripts or any related correspondence.
◆ All editorial applications of artificial intelligence must operate in strict compliance with data privacy and security.
◆ The journal uses artificial intelligence technologies for plagiarism screening and detection while ensuring confidentiality is maintained. Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents.
· For Peer Reviewers
◆ Do not use personal artificial intelligence tools that store, learn from, or retain manuscript content.
◆ Peer reviewers are responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of their evaluations of the materials they review.
◆ Peer review requires human insight; artificial intelligence should not play a role in scientific evaluations.
◆ Do not upload any part of the manuscript or your review report into artificial intelligence tools or third-party applications.
◆ Treat all manuscripts as confidential and proprietary.
◆ Artificial intelligence technologies that assist evaluation workflows must maintain confidentiality and protect data privacy.
· For Authors
◆ Responsibility for the content lies with the authors.
◆ Maintaining human oversight and editorial authority over the writing process is very important.
◆ Clearly state the name and purpose of any artificial intelligence tool used in the manuscript submitted.
◆ Artificial intelligence and AI-based technologies should not be credited as an author or co-author.
◆ Authors are permitted to use artificial intelligence to enhance clarity, quality, and language refinement of the manuscript, not to generate original content or derive scientific results. In such cases, they must transparently declare this in the acknowledgments section.
◆ Authors must also confirm that their manuscript does not violate third-party rights or ethical standards.