Statement on the Use of Generative AI

For Authors

Free University Journal of Asian Studies recognizes the potential of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI Tools”), when used responsibly, to help researchers work efficiently, gain critical insights fast, and achieve better outcomes. Increasingly, these tools, including AI agents and deep research tools, are helping researchers to synthesize complex literature, provide an overview of a field or research question, identify research gaps, generate ideas, and provide tailored support for tasks such as content organization and improving language and readability.

Authors preparing a manuscript for the Free University Journal of Asian Studies can use AI Tools to support them. However, these tools must never be used as a substitute for human critical thinking, expertise, and evaluation. AI technology should always be applied with human oversight and control.

Ultimately, authors are responsible and accountable for the contents of their work. This includes accountability for:

  • Carefully reviewing and verifying the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and impartiality of all AI-generated output (including checking the sources, as AI-generated references can be incorrect or fabricated).
  • Editing and adapting all material thoroughly to ensure the manuscript represents the author’s authentic and original contribution and reflects their own analysis, interpretation, insights, and ideas.
  • Ensuring the use of any tools or sources, AI-based or otherwise, is made clear and transparent to readers. If AI Tools have been used, we require a disclosure statement upon submission (please see the example below).
  • Ensuring the manuscript is developed in a way that safeguards data privacy, intellectual property, and other rights by checking the terms and conditions of any AI tool that is used.

Finally, authors must not list or cite AI Tools as an author or co-author on the manuscript since authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to, and performed by, humans.

The use of AI Tools in the manuscript preparation process must be declared by adding a statement at the end of the manuscript when the paper is first submitted. The statement will appear in the published work and should be placed in a new section before the References list.

An example:

  • Title of new section: Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the manuscript preparation process.
  • Statement: During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL/SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.

 An example for the Georgian version of the manuscripts:

  • სათაური: განცხადება გენერაციული ხელოვნური ინტელექტის (Gen AI) და მისი დამხმარე ტექნოლოგიების გამოყენების თაობაზე ხელნაწერის მომზადების პროცესში.
  • განცხადება: ამ ნაშრომის მომზადებისას ავტორმა(-ებმა) გამოიყენა(-ენეს) [ინსტრუმენტის/სერვისის დასახელება] [დაწერეთ რა მიზნით]. ამ ინსტრუმენ­ტის/სერვისის გამოყენების შემდეგ, ავტორმა(-ებმა) საჭიროებისამებრ გადა­ხედა(-ეს) და შეასწორა(-ეს) შინაარსი და სრულად იღებს(-ენ) პასუხისმგებ­ლობას გამოქვეყნებული სტატიის შინაარსზე.

The declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools, such as tools used to check grammar, spelling and references. If you have nothing to disclose, you do not need to add a statement.

For Reviewers

When a researcher is invited to review another researcher’s paper, the manuscript must be treated as a confidential document. Reviewers should not upload manuscripts to generative AI tools or external platforms that compromise confidentiality.

Reviewing a scientific manuscript implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. The peer review process operates on a principle of mutual trust among authors, reviewers, and editors. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies should not be used by reviewers to assist in the scientific review of a paper, as the critical thinking and original assessment needed for peer review are outside of the scope of this technology, and there is a risk that the technology will generate incorrect, incomplete, or biased conclusions about the manuscript. The reviewer is responsible and accountable for the content of the review report.

For the Editor

The Editor may use AI tools only for administrative support (e.g., language checks), not for editorial decision-making.

Managing the editorial evaluation of a scientific manuscript implies responsibilities that can only be attributed to humans. Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies should not be used by the editor to assist in the evaluation or decision-making process of a manuscript. Despite rapid progress, generative AI tools have considerable limitations and can generate superficial, nonspecific feedback or nonsensical, biased, or false conclusions about the manuscript. The editor is responsible and accountable for the editorial process, the final decision, and the communication thereof to the authors.

Detection and Non‑Compliance

The Editor-in-Chief will evaluate disclosed AI use during the review process to ensure it complies with this policy.

The journal reserves the right to:

  • Request clarification regarding AI use.
  • Reject manuscripts for non‑disclosure or misuse of AI technologies.

Non‑compliance may be treated as a breach of publication ethics.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically as technologies, standards, and best practices evolve.

Free University Journal of Asian Studies supports responsible innovation while upholding the principles of transparency, human accountability, and scientific integrity.