Purpose

Health Innovation Journal Africa (HIJ Africa) recognizes the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing academic publishing. This policy establishes ethical guidelines and responsible usage of AI tools in the manuscript submission, review, editing, and publication phases. HIJ Africa follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Scope

Applicable AI technologies include, but are not limited to, machine learning models, natural language processing (NLP), automated data analysis, and AI-assisted peer review systems, particularly those relevant to the health and rehabilitation fields within the African context.

Definitions

• AI: Technologies that simulate human intelligence processes.
• AI Content: Contributions generated or refined by AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, GrammarlyGO, translation tools).
• AI-Assisted Decision-Making: Use of AI in editorial decisions.

Policy Details

Transparency

• AI Usage Disclosure: Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to declare AI usage upon manuscript submission or during the review process.
• AI Contributions: AI’s role must be clearly distinguished from human inputs in the Methods or Acknowledgments section.

Ethics and Integrity

• AI Ethics Compliance: Ensure AI applications uphold fairness and are free from bias, promoting ethical usage.
• Data Privacy Adherence: AI tools must comply with stringent data protection laws. Crucially, manuscripts or confidential materials must NOT be uploaded to AI systems that store or reuse data (e.g., public Generative AI models).

Authorship and Acknowledgement

• AI in Authorship: AI tools cannot be listed as an author. Authorship requires accountability, which AI cannot provide.
• Human Responsibility: Authors are ultimately responsible for the accuracy and integrity of any AI-assisted components in their work.

Quality and Originality

• Standards for AI Content: Content influenced by AI must meet the journal's quality standards.
• Plagiarism Check: AI-generated content is subject to stringent originality checks. Uncited AI-generated text may be treated as plagiarism.

Review and Decision-Making

• AI in Peer Review: AI may be used as a supportive tool for peer review but not as a substitute for human evaluation. Confidential manuscripts may not be uploaded to AI tools that store inputs.
• Transparency in AI Decisions: Editorial decisions influenced by AI tools must be clear and justifiable.

Research Involving AI

• Methodology of AI Research: Manuscripts must include a comprehensive methodological description of AI usage (e.g., model version, prompts used).
• AI Study Documentation: Provide full transparency regarding AI algorithms, datasets, and processes used to ensure reproducibility.

Changes and Version Control

• Documenting AI Modifications: Authors should maintain a detailed revision history for AI-involved changes to manuscripts.
• Auditability: Ensure traceability and accountability for versions of AI-modified content.

AI Bias and Error

• Bias Detection and Correction: Identify and correct biases in AI algorithms and datasets, specifically ensuring African populations are accurately represented and not subject to algorithmic bias.
• Error Management: Transparently disclose and address errors resulting from AI usage (hallucinations).

Implementation and Oversight

• Staff Training: HIJ Africa provides training on AI’s role in publishing to its editorial staff.
• Policy Monitoring and Review: We regularly review and update the policy to reflect rapid advancements in AI technology.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with this policy may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, or other disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate by the Editorial Board.

Review Process

This policy will be reviewed annually or as required by developments in AI technology.

By implementing this policy, HIJ Africa ensures the ethical application of AI in publishing while fostering integrity, innovation, and the advancement of research in health.