UJ Press follows the guidelines set out by the ASSAf and SciELO in 2025 regarding AI and LLM.

AI is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. https://www.ibm.com/topics/artificial-intelligence.  Large language model (LLM) definition is a type of machine learning (ML) model that can perform a variety of natural language processing (NLP) tasks, such as generating and classifying text, answering questions in a conversational manner, and translating text from one language to another https://www.techopedia.com/definition/34948/large-language-model-llm.  

AI Authorship:

UJ Press does not regard AI tools as authors as they ‘do not meet the requirements for authorship as they cannot take responsibility for the submitted work.’ (ASSAf guidelines on AI usage in scholarly publications, see https://www.assaf.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Final-ASSAf-and-SciELO-Guidelines-for-the-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence-AI-Tools-and-Resources-in-Research-Communication_17-Sept-2024-.pdf).

‘As non-legal entities, they (AI tools) cannot assert the presence or absence of conflicts of interest nor manage copyright and license agreements (See the COPE position statement https://publicationethics.org/guidance).

AI Integration and Usage by Authors:

It is the sole responsibility of the authors to ensure that the work they submit for publication to UJ Press is authentic original research that can be validated through the methodologies used and described in the manuscript.  Authors are responsible for the integrity of their research and must ensure that the work they submit is not plagiarised, falsified, or inaccurate.   

The use of AI tools for the following does not need to be declared:

Using AI for writing

Authors may use AI to help in translations, spelling and grammar checks, language editing and similarity checks. 

Using AI for reference management

Authors may use AI to help them manage their references, such as EndNote.

Where AI is used in any form for the below, or in other instances, authors must declare that they have used AI and explain how it was used:   

Using AI for reference gathering and analysis

Authors may use AI to enhance their research, but not to replace them.  AI may be used in the gathering of, summarising of and initial analysis of references, such as for example Scopus AI in the gathering of references. 

Using AI for the generation of graphs and images

Authors may use AI to enhance or generate graphics, tables, graphs or images based on their research. 

Usage of AI for data collection

Authors may use AI to collect data.

Usage of AI for the analysis of data

Authors may use AI to analyse their data, such as for example AIliase or Atlas TI.

Usage of AI for the conceptualisation of a research problem or research topic

Authors may use AI to help them conceptualise a research problem, research topic, or research question.

Authors are reminded to verify all information, analysis and content generated by an AI.  It is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that they do not include any misinformation or false information generated by an AI application.

Declaration of AI Usage

If an AI application has been used at any stage in the research process or content generation, the authors must mention this in the abstract and body of the manuscript. The declaration stating the use of an AI tool must include the name, version, and manufacturer of the tool used and the date on which it was accessed, for example:

(Chat GTP 4.5, Version 28 January 2025, OpenAI, accessed 15 March 2025)

AI Tools and the Press Manager's Review of Articles

The Press Manager may use AI tools to facilitate the detection of AI-generated or modified content.

AI Tools for Peer Review:  UJ Press does not use AI tools for peer review and does condone this use by reviewers. 

Ethical AI Use: UJ Press strives to ensure that the use of AI in research respects the principles of privacy, consent, and fairness. AI tools may only be used in a transparent way in which the limitations of the tools are acknowledged. Concealing the use of AI tools is unethical and violates the principles of transparency and honesty in research.

Disclosure: UJ Press requires authors to disclose any use of AI in the research process or manuscript preparation to ensure transparency and allow for proper assessment by reviewers and readers.