Educational Review: Research and Innovation (ERRI) recognizes that Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies have become valuable tools in scholarly research and academic writing. The journal supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI while maintaining that intellectual responsibility for all published content rests entirely with human authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher.

This policy applies to all participants involved in the publication process and aligns with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, and internationally accepted standards of responsible research and publishing.

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1. Policy for Authors

Authors may use Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to support manuscript preparation, including language editing, grammar improvement, content organization, literature exploration, coding assistance, or data visualization. However, AI tools must only serve as supportive instruments and must never replace human scholarly judgment, critical thinking, interpretation, or scientific responsibility.

Authors remain fully responsible for:

• The originality, accuracy, and integrity of the manuscript.
• Verifying all AI-generated content, references, and factual information.
• Ensuring that AI-generated outputs do not contain fabricated information, misleading statements, or copyrighted material.
• Reviewing and substantially revising all AI-assisted content before submission.
• Protecting confidential data, intellectual property, and participant privacy when using AI tools.

AI Disclosure Statement

If AI tools are used during manuscript preparation, authors must disclose this in a separate AI Disclosure Statement before the References section. The statement should identify:

• the name of the AI tool;
• the purpose of its use;
• the extent of human oversight and revision.

Minor language editing, grammar correction, spelling, or punctuation checking does not require disclosure.

Authorship

Generative AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot take responsibility for the originality, accuracy, ethical integrity, or accountability of scholarly work. Only human contributors who satisfy the journal's authorship criteria may be recognized as authors.

AI-Generated Images and Figures

ERRI does not permit AI-generated or AI-manipulated figures, images, artwork, or graphical abstracts unless the use of AI forms an integral part of the research methodology itself. In such cases, authors must fully describe the AI model, software, version, and methodology used within the Methods section and ensure compliance with copyright and ethical standards.

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2. Policy for Reviewers

Peer review at ERRI follows a confidential double-blind review process. Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, or any confidential editorial materials into publicly available AI systems or third-party AI services.

Reviewers must:

• Maintain complete confidentiality of all manuscripts.
• Prepare review reports independently using their own scholarly expertise.
• Not use AI to generate or substantially revise peer-review reports.
• Disclose any concerns regarding inappropriate AI use by authors to the Editorial Office.

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3. Policy for Editors

Editors are responsible for making independent editorial decisions based solely on academic merit, ethical standards, reviewer recommendations, and the journal's editorial policies. Editorial decisions must never be delegated to AI systems.

Editors must not upload confidential manuscripts or editorial correspondence into external AI platforms that could compromise author confidentiality or intellectual property.

ERRI may use secure AI-assisted technologies internally for administrative purposes such as:

• technical manuscript screening;
• similarity and plagiarism detection;
• metadata verification;
• reviewer recommendation support;
• editorial workflow management.

These tools serve only as decision-support systems. Final editorial responsibility always remains with the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board.

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4. AI in the Publication Process

ERRI may employ secure AI-assisted technologies to improve publication efficiency, including technical checks, metadata validation, production support, language consistency, and workflow management. Such technologies operate under strict human supervision and never replace editorial judgment or peer review.

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5. Ethical Principles

The use of AI must never compromise research integrity, transparency, academic honesty, confidentiality, copyright, or participant privacy. Any misuse of AI—including fabricated references, fabricated data, undisclosed AI-generated content, or unethical manipulation of research outputs—may constitute publication misconduct and will be handled according to the journal's Publication Ethics and COPE guidelines.

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6. Commitment to Responsible AI

Educational Review: Research and Innovation (ERRI) supports responsible innovation in scholarly publishing while preserving the central role of human expertise, critical thinking, academic integrity, and ethical responsibility. AI technologies are intended to assist researchers and editors—not replace human intellectual contribution or editorial decision-making.