AI and Automated Tools Policy

The KLISC Journal of Information Science and Knowledge Management (KLISC JISKM) recognises the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated tools in scholarly research and publishing. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all published work. This policy outlines the acceptable and prohibited uses of AI and automated tools throughout the research and publication process.

1. Authorship and Attribution

1.1 AI is Not an Author

AI tools and language models cannot be listed as co-authors or credited as authors on any manuscript submitted to KLISC JISKM. Authorship requires the ability to:

Take responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the work
Approve the final version for publication
Address questions and critiques regarding the research
Hold accountability for the content and conclusions presented

Requirement	Detail
AI as Author	❌ Not Permitted - AI tools cannot be credited as authors
Human Authorship	✅ Required - All authors must be human beings who have made substantial contributions to the work
Accountability	✅ Required - Human authors must take full responsibility for all content, including AI-generated portions

2. AI Use in Manuscript Preparation

2.1 Permitted Uses

Authors may use AI and automated tools for the following purposes:

Permitted Use	Description
Language Editing	Improving grammar, spelling, clarity, and style
Proofreading	Identifying and correcting typographical errors
Formatting Assistance	Assisting with reference formatting and manuscript structure
Literature Search	Identifying relevant literature and generating search queries
Data Visualization	Assisting with the creation of charts, graphs, and figures
Code Assistance	Aiding in code optimisation and debugging

2.2 Prohibited Uses

The following uses of AI and automated tools are not permitted:

Prohibited Use	Description	Rationale
Generating Substantive Content	Using AI to write entire sections, arguments, or conclusions	Undermines originality, authorship, and intellectual contribution
Creating Fabricated Data	Generating fake data, citations, references, or experimental results	Constitutes research misconduct and violates ethical standards
Plagiarism	Presenting AI-generated content as original thought without attribution	Violates academic integrity and plagiarism policies
Bypassing Originality	Using AI to paraphrase or rephrase existing work to avoid plagiarism	Does not constitute original scholarship
Imitating Human Authors	Attempting to present AI-generated output as human-authored content	Deceives reviewers, editors, and readers

3. Disclosure Requirements

3.1 Mandatory Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of AI and automated tools in the preparation of their manuscript. This disclosure should be included in a dedicated section of the manuscript (e.g., "AI and Automated Tools Statement" or "Acknowledgements").

Disclosure Template:

"In preparing this manuscript, the authors used [Name of AI Tool/Model] for [specific purpose, e.g., language editing, grammar checking]. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the final content of the publication."

3.2 Scope of Disclosure

Disclosure Component	Requirement
Tool Name	The specific name and version of the AI tool used
Purpose	A clear description of how the tool was used
Extent	The extent to which AI was used in the manuscript preparation
Human Oversight	A statement confirming that authors reviewed and edited all AI-generated content

4. Reviewers and Editors

4.1 Confidentiality and Data Privacy

Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts or any portion thereof to AI tools for analysis, summarisation, or assistance. This includes:

Generative AI chatbots
Language models
AI-powered summarisation tools
AI-based editing or language tools

This prohibition is essential to protect:

Protected Element	Rationale
Confidentiality	Preventing unauthorised disclosure of research findings before publication
Intellectual Property	Protecting authors' original ideas and data
Privacy	Preventing exposure of patient data, sensitive information, or unpublished results

4.2 Permitted Uses for Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors may use AI tools for:

Grammar and spelling checking (provided the manuscript is not uploaded to cloud-based tools)
Reference checking and verification
Basic formatting assistance

4.3 Prohibited Uses for Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must not use AI tools for:

Generating or summarising peer review reports
Evaluating the novelty, significance, or quality of research
Making editorial decisions
Analysing data or results

5. Human Oversight and Accountability

5.1 Final Responsibility

Human authors retain full responsibility and accountability for all content submitted to KLISC JISKM. This includes:

Responsibility	Description
Accuracy	Authors must ensure the accuracy and correctness of all content
Originality	Authors must ensure the work is original and properly cited
Integrity	Authors must ensure the work adheres to ethical research standards
Verification	Authors must verify and fact-check all AI-generated content
Accountability	Authors must take responsibility for any errors, omissions, or ethical breaches

5.2 Verification Requirements

Before submitting a manuscript, authors must verify that:

All AI-generated content has been reviewed and edited by human authors
AI-generated citations and references are accurate and exist
AI-generated data and results are correct and verifiable
AI-generated analyses are sound and logically consistent

6. Editorial Oversight

6.1 Screening for AI Use

The editorial team may:

Screen submissions for AI-generated or AI-assisted content
Use plagiarism detection tools to identify potential misconduct
Request authors to demonstrate the absence of AI use or proper disclosure
Investigate concerns about AI-generated content, data fabrication, or manipulation

6.2 Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with this AI policy may result in:

Non-Compliance Action	Consequence
Undisclosed AI Use	Rejection of manuscript or request for correction
AI Attributed as Author	Rejection of manuscript and potential notification to institution
AI-Generated Fabricated Data	Investigation for research misconduct
AI Use by Reviewers	Removal from reviewer pool and potential notification to institution
Repeated Violations	Permanent ban from submitting to the journal

7. Policy Alignment

This AI policy aligns with:

Guideline	Reference
COPE	Committee on Publication Ethics: Authorship and AI
WAME	World Association of Medical Editors: AI in Publishing
STM	International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers: AI Ethics
DOAJ	Directory of Open Access Journals: AI Policy Requirements
Journal Practice	Increasing adoption of AI disclosure statements by journals

8. Policy Updates

KLISC JISKM recognises that AI technology is rapidly evolving. This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect:

Emerging best practices in AI and scholarly publishing
Changes in ethical guidelines and industry standards
Feedback from authors, reviewers, and editors

Last Updated: August 2026

9. Contact Information

For questions regarding this AI and Automated Tools Policy, please contact the editorial office:

Email: journal@klisc.or.ke

Subject Line: AI Policy Inquiry