Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming academic publishing by enhancing research efficiency, automating plagiarism detection, improving peer review processes, and assisting in journal selection. However, while AI offers many advantages, its use in content creation is not allowed in academic settings due to concerns over authorship integrity, originality, and intellectual responsibility.
Institutions, publishers, and researchers must navigate AI use responsibly to maintain academic credibility. AI can assist with language refinement, research assistance, and compliance checks, but researchers must ensure that all content is original, properly attributed, and aligned with ethical publishing standards.
This article outlines the key do’s and don’ts when using AI in academic publishing, helping researchers, authors, and publishers use AI ethically while avoiding violations that could compromise the integrity of scholarly work.
The Do’s: Best Practices for Using AI in Academic Publishing
1. Use AI for Research Assistance, Not Content Creation
AI-powered tools can efficiently assist researchers in summarizing papers, identifying relevant literature, generating citations, and improving manuscript readability. However, AI should never be used to generate original research content, as it lacks critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and domain expertise.
Best practices:
- Use AI for preliminary research but verify the information manually.
- Leverage AI to assist with literature reviews, but critically analyze sources.
- Utilize AI for grammar and clarity improvements while maintaining authorial control.
2. Verify AI-Generated Summaries and References for Accuracy
AI tools can generate misleading summaries, incorrect interpretations, and fabricated citations. Researchers must manually verify any AI-assisted content before incorporating it into their work.
Steps to ensure accuracy:
- Compare AI-generated summaries with original research papers.
- Cross-check AI-suggested references with trusted databases such as Scopus or Web of Science.
- Ensure AI-generated insights align with existing literature and evidence.
3. Disclose AI Usage in Manuscript Preparation
Many journals now require transparent disclosure of AI tools used in research and manuscript preparation. Authors must explicitly state if AI-assisted processes such as grammar correction, literature review assistance, or formatting guidance were used.
How to disclose AI use ethically:
- Include an AI usage statement in the manuscript’s methodology or acknowledgment section.
- Follow journal guidelines for AI disclosures before submission.
- Clearly state what AI tools were used and for what purpose.
4. Use AI for Plagiarism and Ethical Compliance Checks
AI-powered plagiarism detection tools help authors maintain research integrity by identifying unintentional similarities, detecting self-plagiarism, and ensuring originality. These tools assist researchers in properly citing sources and avoiding ethical violations.
Recommended AI tools for compliance checks:
- Turnitin – Detects plagiarism and citation mismatches.
- iThenticate – Used by journals to screen manuscripts before publication.
- Grammarly Plagiarism Checker – Checks for text similarities and proper attributions.
5. Leverage AI for Peer Review Assistance
AI can enhance the peer review process by helping editors screen submissions for originality, detect research misconduct, and identify potential conflicts of interest. AI-powered journal matching tools also assist researchers in finding the right journal for submission.
How AI supports peer review:
- Assists with detecting image manipulation and data inconsistencies.
- Suggests suitable reviewers based on manuscript content.
- Helps journals pre-screen manuscripts for formatting and compliance.
The Don’ts: Avoiding Misuse of AI in Academic Publishing
1. Do Not Use AI for Content Creation
AI-generated text is not allowed in academic publishing because it lacks original thought, critical analysis, and authorship accountability. AI cannot generate novel research findings, interpret complex data, or provide ethical insights, making its use in content creation a violation of academic integrity.
Risks of AI-generated papers:
- Lack of coherence in complex arguments.
- Risk of plagiarism and content duplication.
- Inability to provide critical insights and nuanced perspectives.
2. Do Not Use AI Without Proper Attribution
Failure to disclose AI involvement in manuscript preparation violates academic integrity and may result in retractions, penalties, or rejection by journals. Authors should not misrepresent AI-generated content as their own.
What to avoid:
- Submitting AI-generated content without disclosure.
- Using AI to create fake citations or alter research data.
- Claiming AI-assisted text as original research.
3. Do Not Assume AI-Generated References Are Reliable
AI tools frequently generate fictitious references, incorrect citations, or improperly formatted sources. Relying on AI-generated citations without verification can lead to academic misconduct.
How to avoid fake references:
- Cross-check AI-generated references with trusted databases.
- Verify the publication year, volume, and page numbers.
- Avoid AI-generated references that lack a verifiable DOI.
4. Do Not Use AI to Manipulate or Fabricate Data
Academic publishing relies on authentic, reproducible, and ethically sourced data. Using AI to alter statistics, modify images, or fabricate results is considered research misconduct and can have serious ethical and legal consequences.
Examples of unethical AI use:
- Generating false data to support hypotheses.
- Manipulating scientific images to misrepresent results.
- Altering statistics to strengthen research claims.
5. Do Not Over-Rely on AI for Journal Selection
AI-based journal finders are helpful, but they should not replace a researcher’s judgment when selecting where to submit a manuscript. AI tools may not consider journal reputation, scope, or peer review policies, leading to submissions in predatory or low-impact journals.
Potential issues with AI journal recommendations:
- AI may suggest journals with questionable credibility.
- AI might not consider a journal’s review process and standards.
- AI-based matching tools may not align with author preferences for impact factor and audience.
Final Thoughts: Responsible AI Use in Academic Publishing
AI is a valuable tool for academic publishing when used ethically and responsibly. Researchers must strike a balance between AI assistance and human oversight to ensure their work remains credible, transparent, and aligned with scholarly standards.
Key Takeaways:
- Use AI as a research assistant, not a content creator.
- Always verify AI-generated summaries, references, and data.
- Disclose AI involvement in manuscript preparation.
- Leverage AI for plagiarism detection, peer review, and compliance checks.
- Maintain integrity by avoiding AI-generated content in academic writing.
By following these do’s and don’ts, researchers can harness the benefits of AI while ensuring that academic publishing remains authentic, ethical, and aligned with institutional policies and journal requirements.
