AI Generative Policy

The Africa Digital Governance and Law Review (ADGLR) recognises that generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being used in academic research, writing, data analysis, editing, translation and scholarly publishing. ADGLR permits responsible and transparent use of generative AI while maintaining strict standards of academic integrity, originality, human accountability, research ethics and scholarly independence.

This policy applies to authors, reviewers, editors and other contributors involved in the publication process.

PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to:

Promote responsible use of generative AI in scholarly publishing;

Protect academic integrity and originality;

Ensure that authors remain accountable for their work;

Prevent fabricated or misleading research content;

Promote transparency regarding substantive AI use;

Protect confidential manuscripts and research data; and

Establish clear expectations for authors, reviewers and editors.

For the purposes of this policy, generative AI refers to artificial-intelligence systems capable of producing or substantially transforming content, including:

Text;

Images;

Computer code;

Audio;

Video;

Data or synthetic content;

Summaries;

Translations; and

Other forms of digital material.

Examples include large language models, AI writing assistants, AI coding tools, AI image generators and other generative systems.

PERMITTED USES OF GENERATIVE AI

Authors may use generative AI tools for appropriate supporting purposes, including:

Grammar and spelling correction;

Language improvement;

Improving clarity and readability;

Translation;

Formatting assistance;

Brainstorming research questions;

Generating preliminary outlines;

Organising ideas;

Such use must not compromise the originality, accuracy or scholarly integrity of the manuscript. AI systems cannot be listed as authors, only individuals who satisfy appropriate authorship requirements may be listed as authors.

Human authors remain responsible for:

The accuracy of the manuscript;

The originality of the work;

Research methodology;

Research data;

Legal analysis;

Interpretation of findings;

Citations and references;

Conclusions and recommendations; and

Compliance with ethical and publication requirements.

The use of generative AI does not reduce or replace the author's responsibility.