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Editorial Policies

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies

Effective date: 01 August 2026

1. Scope and Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, "generative AI" and "AI-assisted technologies" refer to any tool that uses artificial intelligence or large language models to generate, edit, translate, summarize, or otherwise transform text, data, images, or other content — including but not limited to tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, AI-based paraphrasing or translation tools, and AI image generators. This policy applies to authors, peer reviewers, and editors involved in the preparation, review, and editorial handling of manuscripts submitted to Cities and Urban Development Journal (CUDJ).

Minor use of AI-assisted spelling and grammar checkers (e.g., standard spell-checkers) for basic language polishing is generally exempt from disclosure requirements, unless such tools substantively alter meaning, structure, or content.

2. Disclosure Requirement for Authors

CUDJ requires all authors to disclose, at the time of manuscript submission, whether generative AI or AI-assisted technologies have been used in the preparation, development, analysis, or revision of their manuscript. If such technologies have been used, authors must:

  • Identify the specific tool(s) used, including name and version where known;
  • Describe, with reasonable detail, how and for what purpose the tool was used (e.g., language editing, literature summarization, code generation, data visualization);
  • Include this declaration in the Methods section (for AI used in research design or analysis) or in an "AI Use Declaration" statement placed after the Acknowledgments and before the References section.

Manuscripts that do not include a required declaration may be returned to authors for revision prior to peer review.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Uses

AI may be used, under author supervision, to support:

  • Improving language, readability, grammar, and structure of the manuscript;
  • Summarizing or organizing background literature (with independent verification);
  • Assisting with code, formatting, or routine data-processing tasks, subject to full author review.

AI must not be used as a substitute for authors in:

  • Generating original scientific insight, hypotheses, or research design;
  • Conducting, analysing, or interpreting research data;
  • Determining the validity or significance of findings;
  • Drawing scientific conclusions or formulating scientific arguments;
  • Serving as, or being credited as, an author or co-author. AI tools cannot take responsibility for a published work, give consent for its publication, or be held accountable for its content, and therefore do not meet CUDJ's authorship criteria under any circumstance.

4. Author Responsibility and Verification

Authors remain fully and solely responsible for the accuracy, originality, scientific validity, interpretation, and conclusions presented in the manuscript, regardless of any AI assistance used. Authors must independently verify all AI-generated or AI-assisted content, including:

  • Facts, statistics, and data points;
  • References and citations (AI tools are known to generate inaccurate or fabricated citations);
  • Quotations, paraphrased content, and technical claims.

Authors must also ensure that AI use does not compromise the confidentiality of unpublished data, research participants' privacy, third-party intellectual property, or copyright. Unpublished manuscripts, raw data, or confidential materials must not be entered into publicly available AI tools that retain or reuse submitted content for model training, unless the platform is confirmed not to retain such data.

5. Use of AI in Peer Review and Editorial Processes

Peer reviewers and editors are prohibited from uploading manuscripts, in whole or in part, into public generative AI tools, as this may breach the confidentiality owed to authors during peer review. Reviewers and editors may use AI-assisted tools for limited administrative purposes (e.g., language polishing of their own review comments) but must not rely on AI to generate substantive review judgments, recommendations, or assessments of scientific validity.

6. Images, Figures, and Visual Content

The use of AI-generated or AI-modified images, figures, or visual data representations must be disclosed separately in the figure caption or methods section, specifying the tool used and its role. AI-generated images must not misrepresent actual research data or results. Where an image is illustrative or conceptual only, this must be clearly stated.

7. Editorial Evaluation

The editors of CUDJ will consider the nature, extent, and purpose of any reported AI use when evaluating submitted manuscripts. Disclosed information regarding AI use may be shared with peer reviewers to provide appropriate context. Where applicable, the relevant declaration will be included in the published article for transparency.

8. Non-Compliance

Failure to disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies, or misrepresentation of the extent of such use, will be treated as a breach of publication ethics. Depending on severity, this may result in requests for revision, rejection of the manuscript, or — for published articles — correction, expression of concern, or retraction, consistent with CUDJ's broader research integrity and publication ethics policies.