Generative AI Policy

Declaration of Generative AI Use

Authors preparing manuscripts for Acta Solum may utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support manuscript preparation. However, such tools must not replace human intellectual contribution, critical analysis, interpretation, and scientific judgment. AI technologies must always be applied under full human supervision and responsibility.

Accordingly, Acta Solum adopts the following policy regarding the use of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in manuscript preparation, data analysis, and peer review.

Transparency and Disclosure

Authors are required to fully disclose any use of Generative AI or AI-assisted tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Midjourney, DALL·E, Grammarly, and similar technologies) in the preparation of their manuscript.

Disclosure must be presented in a dedicated section titled:

“Declaration of AI Use”

This section must clearly specify:

  • The name of the AI tool(s) used

  • The purpose of use (e.g., language editing, figure enhancement, coding assistance)

  • The scope and extent of the AI assistance

Failure to disclose the use of AI tools may constitute a breach of publication ethics.

AI Cannot Be Listed as an Author

Generative AI tools cannot be credited as authors, co-authors, contributors, or corresponding authors.

Only individuals who have made verifiable intellectual and scientific contributions may be listed as authors in accordance with accepted authorship criteria.

Responsibility and Accountability

Authors bear full responsibility for:

  • The accuracy, reliability, and validity of all AI-assisted or AI-generated content

  • Verifying that no fabricated data, incorrect citations, or biased outputs are included

  • Ensuring that AI-assisted text, data, figures, images, or code do not violate copyright laws or ethical standards

Acta Solum will not accept manuscripts containing unverifiable, fabricated, or misleading data generated by AI tools.

Permitted and Prohibited Uses of AI

AI tools may be used for:

  • Grammar correction and language refinement

  • Draft drafting that is substantially revised, verified, and interpreted by the author

  • Figure enhancement (e.g., brightness, clarity, contrast adjustments) that does not alter scientific meaning

  • Coding assistance or statistical scripting support, provided authors verify and validate all outputs

AI tools may NOT be used for:

  • Generating research data, experimental results, soil analysis outcomes, or statistical findings

  • Fabricating references, citations, or literature reviews

  • Producing figures or images that misrepresent scientific data

  • Writing substantial sections of the manuscript without critical human revision and validation

  • Generating peer review reports or evaluating confidential materials

Data, Image, and Figure Integrity

All data, images, maps, soil profiles, micrographs, and figures submitted to Acta Solum must represent accurate and verifiable research findings.

If AI-based image editing tools are used to improve visual quality, authors must ensure that:

  • No scientific information is altered

  • No manipulation changes interpretation of soil characteristics, analytical results, or environmental indicators

  • Any enhancement remains purely technical and does not affect data integrity

AI Use by Reviewers and Editors

Reviewers and editors must not use Generative AI tools to analyze, summarize, interpret, or provide feedback on confidential manuscripts.

AI tools may only be used for non-confidential tasks such as grammar checking of editorial correspondence.

Ethical Considerations and Sanctions

Misuse of AI tools, including but not limited to:

  • Generating fabricated data

  • Misrepresenting scientific findings

  • Failing to disclose AI usage

may result in:

  • Immediate manuscript rejection

  • Retraction of published articles

  • Notification to the authors’ affiliated institutions

  • Restriction of future submissions to Acta Solum