This policy outlines the official stance of Indonesian Journal of Spatial Planning (IJSP) regarding the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of manuscripts submitted for publication. This policy aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the scientific record in spatial planning and regional research.
1. Authorship and Accountability
AI Cannot Be an Author: AI tools and AI-assisted technologies (e.g., Large Language Models, Generative AI) do not meet the criteria for authorship as they cannot take responsibility for the content, integrity, or originality of the work. Therefore, AI tools or software cannot be listed as authors on any manuscript submitted to IJSP.
Authors' Full Responsibility: Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the entire content of their submitted manuscript, including any parts generated, edited, or enhanced by AI tools. This encompasses the accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical soundness of spatial data, maps, models, citations, and textual statements.
Human Oversight Required: The use of AI tools must be under direct human supervision. Authors must critically evaluate, edit, and revise any material generated by AI to ensure it aligns with scientific standards and accurate spatial planning methodologies.
2. Transparency and Disclosure Requirements
Authors are required to disclose the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of their manuscript. This disclosure must be explicit, specific, and transparent.
What to Disclose:
Tool Name & Version: Specific AI tools used (e.g., ChatGPT-4, Claude, Grammarly, Midjourney, AI GIS plugins, Python/R LLM APIs).
Specific Purpose: Language refinement, grammar checks, script/coding assistance for spatial analysis, image/figure enhancement, drafting specific sections, etc.
Extent of Involvement: A brief description of how the AI tool contributed to the manuscript.
Where to Disclose:
Acknowledgements Section: Preferred for general writing or linguistic assistance.
Methods Section: If AI was used for specific analytical, coding, data processing, or GIS/spatial modeling steps.
Declaration of AI Use Statement: Placed just before the References section.
Example Disclosure Statement (General Writing): "Portions of this manuscript were enhanced using ChatGPT-4 (OpenAI) for language refinement and improving grammatical clarity. All content generated or edited by the AI was thoroughly reviewed and validated by the authors, who take full responsibility for the final text."
Example Disclosure Statement (Spatial Analysis / Images): "Figure X / Spatial script was generated with the assistance of [Name of AI Tool / Plugin]. The authors provided the spatial parameters, prompts, and code verification, editing the output to ensure analytical accuracy and scientific relevance."
3. Permissible Uses (With Disclosure)
Language & Grammar Refinement: Improving readability, technical terminology, and sentence flow.
Drafting Support: Assisting in generating initial drafts of non-critical stylistic sections, which must subsequently be verified and rewritten by human authors.
Brainstorming & Framework Structuring: Conceptualizing research frameworks or outlining manuscript structure.
Coding & Spatial Data Processing Assistance: Assisting in Python/R scripting for GIS, remote sensing, or spatial statistical models, provided human authors fully verify reproducibility and code integrity in the Methods section.
Literature Summarization: Assisting in literature summaries, provided all original source citations are independently verified by the authors.
4. Prohibited Uses
Generating Fictitious Content: Fabricating research data, spatial measurements, survey results, or non-existent citations/references.
Plagiarism: Using AI-generated content without proper attribution or passing AI output off as original human scholarship.
Substituting Core Intellectual Work: AI cannot perform core scientific tasks such as formulating original spatial planning hypotheses, interpreting novel empirical findings, or drawing policy conclusions.
Violating Review Confidentiality: Peer reviewers and editors are strictly forbidden from uploading confidential submitted manuscripts into public AI tools or LLMs.
5. Consequences of Misuse
Failure to adhere to this policy will be treated as a serious breach of publication ethics and may result in:
Immediate rejection of the submitted manuscript.
Retraction of the published article if discovered post-publication.
Temporary or permanent ban of the author(s) from submitting to Indonesian Journal of Spatial Planning (IJSP).
Notification sent to the authors' institutional oversight bodies or ethics committees.
Continuous Policy Updates: This policy is periodically reviewed and updated by the Editorial Board of Indonesian Journal of Spatial Planning (IJSP) to adapt to ongoing advancements in AI technology and evolving COPE/ICMJE ethical guidelines.
