Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences (DJES) recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) tools may assist authors in improving language, grammar, formatting, literature organization, technical clarity, and the presentation of manuscripts. However, the use of AI tools must be responsible, transparent, and limited to supporting the authors’ work. AI tools must not replace the authors’ intellectual contribution, critical thinking, scientific analysis, interpretation of results, or accountability for the submitted manuscript.

AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires substantial intellectual contribution, responsibility, accountability, approval of the final manuscript, and the ability to respond to questions related to the accuracy, integrity, and validity of the work. Authors remain fully responsible for all content submitted to DJES, including any text, data, figures, tables, references, interpretations, or conclusions generated, edited, or assisted by AI tools.

Authors who use AI tools in manuscript preparation must disclose this use clearly. The disclosure should be provided in a separate “Declaration of AI Use” statement during submission and, where appropriate, in the final published manuscript. The disclosure should include the name of the AI tool, the purpose of use, and the parts of the manuscript where it was used. Simple use of spelling, grammar, formatting, or reference-management tools does not normally require disclosure, provided that these tools do not generate scientific content, interpretations, data, citations, or conclusions.

AI tools must not be used to fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data, images, results, references, citations, peer-review reports, or any part of the scholarly record. Authors must carefully verify all AI-assisted content, including technical statements, equations, references, citations, data interpretation, and conclusions. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all references are real, accurate, relevant, and properly cited.

AI-generated or AI-manipulated images, data, figures, tables, references, citations, or results must not be submitted unless the use of AI is an explicit part of the research method, fully described, reproducible, ethically acceptable, and clearly disclosed. Any AI use that affects research design, data processing, image processing, analysis, interpretation, or reporting must be explained in sufficient detail to allow editorial assessment and, where applicable, reproducibility.

Hidden prompts, invisible text, embedded instructions, or any other content intended to influence AI-assisted screening, reviewing, indexing, or editorial tools are considered unethical manipulation of the publication process and may lead to rejection or further editorial action.

Reviewers and editors must not upload submitted manuscripts, figures, tables, data, supplementary files, reviewer reports, or any confidential editorial material to external AI tools or platforms if this may compromise confidentiality, copyright, data protection, or the integrity of the peer-review process. Any use of AI tools by reviewers or editors must preserve confidentiality and must not replace their own expert judgment, independent evaluation, or editorial responsibility.

Suspected inappropriate, misleading, or undisclosed use of AI tools will be assessed by the editorial team. AI-detection tools may be used as supporting indicators, but their results will not be used as the sole basis for editorial decisions. When necessary, the journal may request clarification from the authors. Serious misuse of AI tools may lead to manuscript rejection, correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the stage and severity of the case.