Acta Biochimica Indonesiana (ActaBioIna) recognizes the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in scientific research, manuscript preparation, and scholarly communication.

AI-assisted tools may support language improvement, literature exploration, computational analysis, and other research-related activities. However, their use must comply with the principles of academic integrity, transparency, reproducibility, and human accountability.

This policy is informed by recommendations from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

1. Definition of AI Tools

AI tools include software applications and computational systems that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, or generative models to produce, transform, analyze, or interpret content.

Examples include generative AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, AI-assisted writing applications, automated literature analysis tools, and AI-based data processing or image generation systems.

2. Permitted Use of AI Tools

Authors may use AI tools to support research and manuscript preparation, provided that their use is transparent, appropriate, and subject to meaningful human oversight.

Acceptable applications may include language editing, grammar correction, manuscript readability improvement, preliminary literature exploration, reference formatting, programming assistance, and computational or statistical analysis.

When AI tools are used as part of research methodology, authors must provide sufficient information about their implementation, validation, and limitations to support scientific evaluation and reproducibility.

All AI-assisted content must be critically reviewed and verified by the authors before submission.

3. Prohibited and Inappropriate Uses

AI tools must not be used to fabricate or falsify research data, experimental observations, statistical outcomes, references, or scientific conclusions.

AI-generated or manipulated images must not be presented as authentic experimental evidence. Synthetic images or simulations may only be included when scientifically justified, clearly identified, and adequately described.

Authors must not submit unverified AI-generated scientific claims, nonexistent references, plagiarized material, or content that infringes intellectual property rights.

AI-generated content must not replace the authors' independent scientific reasoning, critical interpretation, or responsibility for the research.

Confidential research information, personal data, or unpublished material must not be disclosed to third-party AI systems without appropriate authorization and data protection safeguards.

4. AI Tools and Authorship

AI systems cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to ActaBioIna.

Authorship is restricted to individuals who meet recognized authorship criteria and can take responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical conduct of the submitted work.

All human authors remain fully accountable for AI-assisted content included in their manuscripts.

5. Disclosure of AI Tool Usage

Authors must transparently disclose the use of generative AI tools in manuscript preparation or research activities.

Disclosures should identify the name of the AI tool, its provider and version where available, and the purpose and extent of its use.

AI-assisted writing, translation, or content generation should be disclosed in the Acknowledgments section or a dedicated Declaration of AI Tool Usage section.

When AI tools are used for research design, data processing, computational analysis, programming, or figure generation, their use must be described in the Methods section.

Routine spelling or basic grammar checks that do not generate substantive content generally do not require a separate declaration.

Suggested disclosure statement:

"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [AI tool name and version] for [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed and verified the AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript."

6. AI Use by Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of unpublished manuscripts and related editorial communications.

Submitted manuscripts, peer review reports, and confidential editorial documents must not be uploaded to external AI systems where confidentiality and data protection cannot be assured without appropriate authorization.

AI tools must not replace independent scientific evaluation or human editorial judgment.

Final decisions regarding manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection remain the responsibility of qualified human editors.

Any substantive AI assistance used during editorial evaluation must be disclosed to the appropriate editorial authority.

7. Non-Compliance and Editorial Actions

If inappropriate or undisclosed AI usage is identified, the Editorial Board may request clarification, supporting information, or revisions.

Serious violations involving fabrication, plagiarism, misleading content, or compromised research integrity may result in manuscript rejection or post-publication action under the journal's established ethical policies.

Suspected violations will be assessed through human editorial review rather than relying exclusively on automated AI-detection software.

8. Policy Review

ActaBioIna recognizes that AI technologies and scholarly publishing standards continue to evolve.

This policy may be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect developments in research integrity, academic publishing, and responsible AI practices.

Authors are encouraged to consult the Editorial Office whenever uncertainty arises regarding acceptable AI use.