Guidelines for Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in ITE Journal Submissions

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool in the writing process, but it must be used responsibly and ethically. For authors submitting to ITE Journal, AI should serve as a supportive aid—not a substitute for human expertise, judgment, and originality.

The central principle is simple: if you did not write it, you are not the author. Authors must provide the substantive ideas, exercise independent judgment, and take full responsibility for the submitted work.

Core Principles for AI-Assisted Writing

1. Transparency and Disclosure

Authors must clearly disclose if, how, and where AI tools were used in the development of their manuscript (e.g., brainstorming, drafting, editing, routine grammar and spelling checks). Transparency should extend to communication with editors when appropriate.

2. Human Accountability

Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their work—including any portions that were supported by AI tools.

3. Originality, Plagiarism, and Copyright

AI-generated content must not be presented as original work without significant human revision. Authors must ensure that AI outputs do not:

• Violate copyright protections
• Replicate or closely mimic another author’s unique voice
• Introduce unintentional plagiarism

4. Accuracy and Verification

AI tools can produce incorrect or fabricated information, including false citations. Authors must rigorously verify all content before submission to ensure reliability and scholarly integrity.

5. No AI Authorship

AI tools cannot be credited as authors or co-authors. Authorship implies accountability and intellectual contribution—responsibilities that AI cannot fulfill.

6. Privacy and Confidentiality

Authors should not input confidential, proprietary, unpublished, or sensitive personal data into public AI platforms.

7. Awareness of Bias

AI systems may reflect biases present in their training data. Authors are responsible for identifying and correcting any biased or misleading content generated by AI.

Appropriate Use of AI in ITE Journal Submissions

Acceptable Uses (Supportive)

AI may be used to:

• Generate or refine ideas during brainstorming
• Improve organization or structure of content
• Assist with grammar, spelling, and clarity
• Enhance readability and flow
• Summarize content (with verification)
• Help overcome writer’s block

Unacceptable Uses (Substantive)

AI should not be used to:

• Write the primary content of a manuscript
• Fabricate data, references, or citations, or present AI-generated information as verified evidence.
• Produce content submitted without meaningful human revision and oversight

Best Practices for Ethical AI Use

To ensure compliance with ITE Journal standards, authors are encouraged to:

1. Draft First
   Begin with your own ideas and writing. This ensures that the work reflects your expertise and perspective.
2. Revise Thoroughly
   Treat AI-generated content as a starting point—not a finished product. Edit extensively to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with your voice.
3. Document AI Use
   Keep a record of how AI tools were used (e.g., prompts, revisions) to support the required disclosure.”
4. Follow Institutional and Journal Policies
   Adhere to any applicable guidelines from your organization and ITE Journal, particularly regarding transparency and ethical standards.

Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in serious consequences, including rejection of the manuscript, retraction of a published article, and notification of the author’s affiliated institution if warranted. Authors found to have misused AI—such as submitting unedited AI-generated content, failing to disclose AI use, or presenting non-original work as their own—may be prohibited from submitting or authoring future content for ITE Journal. Upholding these standards is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the publication.

Final Note

ITE Journal values integrity, originality, and professional responsibility in all submissions. AI can enhance the writing process when used thoughtfully—but it cannot replace the insight, expertise, and accountability of the author.

Authors are expected to uphold these standards to ensure the credibility and quality of published work.

*These guidelines were adapted in part from The Author’s Guild “AI Best Practices for Authors.” April 9, 2024 https://authorsguild.org/resource/ai-best-practices-for-authors/ (Accessed March 24, 2026). AI was used to help format these guidelines to ITE Journal standards and practices.