Generative AI Policy

Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

This policy defines the principles of the responsible, transparent, and ethically sound use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI, in the preparation and peer review of scientific publications, as well as in the editorial activities of the “Visnyk of Vinnytsia Politechnical Institute”

The policy is based on the principles of academic integrity, the requirements of Ukrainian legislation, in particular the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity”, as well as the recommendations of COPE, Elsevier, and WAME.

Use of AI by the Authors

Authors may use AI technologies as an auxiliary tool, provided that the authors retain their own intellectual contribution, exercise critical oversight, and assume responsibility for all the results presented in the article.

The use of AI is acceptable, in particular, for:

  • linguistic and stylistic editing of the text, translation, and improving its readability;
  • assistance in structuring and organizing material;
  • search and summarization of the information during the research preparation phase;
  • technical assistance in preparing program code, mathematical expressions, tables, diagrams, and other materials;
  • creation of individual explanatory illustrations and graphic materials, provided they are verified by the author;
  • other auxiliary tasks that do not replace scientific analysis, critical thinking, and the author’s intellectual contribution.

The use of AI in the course of the research, in particular, for data analysis, modeling, software code development, or other stages of scientific work, must be described in the corresponding section of the article if such usage affects the methodology, the acquisition, or the interpretation of results. Such an approach corresponds to current Elsevier’s guidelines.

Unacceptable Use of AI

The use of AI is not permitted if it:

  • replaces the author’s own scientific analysis, critical evaluation, interpretation of the results, or formulation of scientific conclusions;
  • results in the presentation of results generated by AI as the author’s own scientific work without proper disclosure of their use;
  • involves the use of fictitious or unverified data, facts, sources, references, citations, or results;
  • causes the falsification or fabrication of the research results;
  • violates copyrights, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, or the rights of the third parties.

 

AI systems cannot be listed as the authors or co-authors of a scientific article, as the responsibility for the content, accuracy, originality, and integrity of a publication can only be held by a human.

Authors bear full responsibility for the content of an article submitted to the journal, regardless of whether AI technologies were used in the process of its preparation.

Transparency and Declaration of AI Use

Any use of AI that goes beyond basic checking of spelling, grammar, and punctuation must be transparently disclosed.

The declaration should include:

  • the name and developer of the AI tool used;
  • if possible, the version or model;
  • the purpose and nature of its use;
  • the corresponding stage of research preparation or conduct.

 

Basic checks for spelling, grammar, and punctuation that do not alter the content or structure of the scientific text need not be disclosed. However, if the AI makes significant edits to the structure, wording, or content of the text, such use must be disclosed.

Recommended format for the disclosure:

Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies. While preparing this paper, the authors used [name of tool] for [purpose of use]. The materials generated using AI were reviewed and edited by the authors. The authors bear full responsibility for the content and results of the published paper.

 

If AI was used directly as part of the research methodology, the corresponding information must be provided in the “Materials and Methods” section or another appropriate section of the article.

Use of AI to Create Images and Other Materials

If generative AI was used to create or substantially modify figures, diagrams, illustrations, or other graphic materials, this must be indicated in the caption for the corresponding figure and, if necessary, in a general declaration on the use of AI.

AI must not be used to create or alter primary experimental data, measurement results, or other materials in a way that could distort the results of the research. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and originality of all graphic materials.

Use of AI by the Reviewers

Manuscripts submitted to the journal are confidential. Reviewers must not upload the manuscript, parts of it, reviews, correspondence, or other confidential materials to external generative AI services.

Reviewers may use AI only as an auxiliary tool for the text of their own review, for instance, for language editing, maintaining confidentiality and retaining full control over the content of the review.

AI cannot replace a reviewer’s independent scientific evaluation, the formation of an expert opinion, or recommendations regarding publication. The ultimate responsibility for the content of the review rests with the reviewer.

Use of AI by Editors

Editors may use AI only as an auxiliary tool in their editorial work, provided that the confidentiality of manuscripts and other information obtained during the editorial process is maintained.

Editors must not upload manuscripts or parts thereof to external generative AI services.

AI may be used, in particular, for technical assistance, language editing of editorial correspondence, checking formal requirements, or searching for general reference information, provided that this does not involve the disclosure of confidential manuscript content.

Editorial decisions regarding the acceptance, revision, or rejection of the manuscripts are made exclusively by the responsible editors and members of the Editorial Board. AI cannot replace the editor’s professional judgment.

Academic Integrity and Responsibility

The use of AI technologies does not exempt authors, reviewers, and editors from complying with the principles of academic integrity, copyright, confidentiality, and the requirements of Ukrainian legislation.

Violations of this policy, in particular, the covert use of AI, fabrication or falsification of data, the use of fictitious sources, or the presentation of results generated by AI as one’s own scientific work — may constitute grounds for rejecting a manuscript, terminating its review, or taking other measures in accordance with the journal’s editorial policy and Ukrainian legislation.

Authors, reviewers, and editors must also comply with the terms of use of corresponding AI services, as well as requirements regarding the protection of personal data, confidential information, and intellectual property.

The “Visnyk of Vinnytsia Politechnical Institute” supports the responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies that promote the development of scientific research, improve the quality of scientific communication, and do not violate the principles of academic integrity.