Generative AI Policy

Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood recognises that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as large language models, chatbots, and image generators, can support research and writing. To protect the integrity of the scholarly record, the journal sets out the following policy for authors, reviewers, and editors. This policy follows the COPE position statement on Authorship and AI tools, the ICMJE recommendations on artificial intelligence, and the principles of transparency and accountability in the Indonesian Ministry's guide on the use of generative AI in higher education (2024).

1. Use of AI by Authors

AI cannot be an author. AI tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author, because they cannot take responsibility for the work, declare conflicts of interest, or agree to copyright and licensing terms. AI tools must not be cited as an author in the reference list.

Permitted uses, provided they are disclosed:

  • Improving the language, grammar, and readability of text written by the authors;
  • Translating text written by the authors, followed by careful checking;
  • Assisting in searching or organising literature, provided every source is read and verified by the authors;
  • Assisting in data analysis or coding, provided the method is described and the results are verified by the authors.

Not permitted:

  • Generating substantial parts of the manuscript (e.g., the introduction, discussion, or conclusions) and presenting them as the authors' own work;
  • Generating, fabricating, or altering research data, results, or quotations from participants;
  • Generating references or citations without verifying that they exist and support the statement;
  • Creating or altering images, photographs, or figures that present research findings, unless AI-generated imagery is itself the subject of the research and this is clearly explained in the methods;
  • Entering personal data about children, parents, teachers, or other participants into AI tools without consent and appropriate safeguards.

Disclosure. Authors must declare any use of generative AI in a statement titled "Declaration of Generative AI Use", placed before the references. The statement names the tool and version, and explains what it was used for. For example:

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-4o) to improve the language and readability of the text. The authors reviewed and edited the output and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

If AI was used for data analysis or literature screening, this must also be described in the Methodology section. If no AI tool was used, authors state: "The authors did not use generative AI tools in preparing this manuscript." Basic tools such as spelling and grammar checkers do not need to be declared.

Responsibility. Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the entire manuscript, including any content produced with the help of AI. Authors must check AI outputs for errors, bias, plagiarism, and fabricated references.

2. Use of AI by Reviewers

  • Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, to a generative AI tool, because this may breach confidentiality and the authors' rights.
  • Reviewers must not use AI to write their review reports or to make judgements on a manuscript. Peer review requires the reviewer's own expert assessment.
  • Reviewers may use AI only to improve the language of their own review comments, without entering any content from the manuscript, and should inform the editor if they do so.

3. Use of AI by Editors

  • Editors keep submitted manuscripts confidential and do not upload them to generative AI tools.
  • Editorial decisions are made by the editors based on the reviewers' reports and their own assessment, not by AI tools.
  • The journal may use similarity-checking and AI-detection tools as part of its screening. Results from AI-detection tools are treated only as an indicator for further review, not as proof of misconduct, because such tools can produce false results. No manuscript is rejected solely on the basis of an AI-detection score.

4. Breaches of This Policy

Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI, including fabricated data or references, is treated as a breach of publication ethics. Depending on the stage and seriousness, the journal may ask for clarification, return the manuscript for revision, reject it, or publish a correction or retraction, in accordance with the Allegations of Research Misconduct and Corrections and Retractions policies.

5. Review of This Policy

AI technologies and related guidance are developing quickly. The journal reviews this policy regularly and will update it in line with guidance from COPE, ICMJE, and the relevant Indonesian authorities.

Last updated: October 2026