Generative AI use Policy

Overview

Shirkah: Journal of Economics and Business recognizes the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies to enhance research, writing, and editorial efficiency when used responsibly. This policy provides guidance to authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical use of AI tools in all stages of the publication process. The journal adheres to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and will regularly review and update this policy in response to evolving best practices.

For Authors

Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted tools to support tasks such as language editing, literature organization, and idea generation. However, these tools must not replace human analysis, critical thinking, or originality. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, validity, and integrity of all content in their manuscripts.

All AI-generated text, data, or visuals must be reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors to ensure authenticity and originality. Any use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed in an AI Declaration Statement included upon submission, specifying the tool’s name, purpose, and extent of use. Basic proofreading (e.g., grammar or spelling corrections) does not require disclosure.

AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors, as authorship requires human accountability and intellectual contribution. The use of AI to generate or manipulate figures, tables, or images is strictly prohibited, unless it is an explicit and essential part of the research methodology, in which case full details must be provided in the methods section.

For Reviewers

Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload manuscripts or any part of them into AI tools, as doing so may violate data privacy and confidentiality. Similarly, reviewers should not use AI tools to draft or edit their review reports.

Peer review requires critical judgment and independent evaluation, which cannot be delegated to AI technologies. Reviewers are solely accountable for the content, integrity, and conclusions of their review reports.

For Editors

Editors must uphold strict confidentiality throughout the editorial and peer review process. Manuscripts, decision letters, or correspondence must not be uploaded into AI systems for processing, summarization, or editing.

Editorial decisions must rely on human expertise, ethical judgment, and scholarly integrity. Editors may use in-house or licensed AI tools only for routine screening purposes, such as plagiarism checks or reviewer matching, provided these tools comply with data privacy and ethical standards.

Commitment to Ethical AI Use

Shirkah: Journal of Economics and Business supports the responsible use of AI technologies that enhance efficiency and uphold research integrity while protecting confidentiality, privacy, and intellectual property. Transparency in AI use fosters trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers and strengthens the ethical foundation of scholarly publishing.