Policy on the use of AI and AI-enabled technologies

This Policy defines the principles, rules, and limitations for the use of artificial intelligence (hereinafter – AI) systems and AI-assisted technologies in the process of preparing, reviewing, and publishing scientific papers in the scholarly periodicals of Lviv University of Trade and Economics (hereinafter – the University).

The Policy is aimed at ensuring academic integrity, publication ethics, transparency, author accountability, and the reliability of research results.

The Policy is developed on the basis of the provisions of the Laws of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity”, “On Higher Education”, “On the Protection of Public Morality”, “On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activity”, “On Copyright and Related Rights”, and “On Publishing”, as well as international recommendations on publication ethics and the use of AI (COPE, UNESCO, EU AI Act), and the University regulations “On the Use of Artificial Intelligence at Lviv University of Trade and Economics”, “On Editorial Policy and Ethical Standards for Publications in Scientific Journals of Lviv University of Trade and Economics”, “On the Prevention and Detection of Academic Plagiarism in Scientific, Educational, and Methodological Works of Academic Staff and Higher Education Applicants at Lviv University of Trade and Economics”, “On the Specialized Periodical Publication of Lviv University of Trade and Economics”, “On the Open Science Policy at Lviv University of Trade and Economics”, the Requirements for the Preparation and Submission of Manuscripts for Publication in Scientific Journals of Lviv University of Trade and Economics, the University Charter, and the University Code of Ethics.

The Policy applies to:

  • authors of scientific publications;
  • reviewers;
  • editorial boards of the University’s scientific journals;
  • other persons involved in the preparation of publications for dissemination.

The University, as the founder of periodical publications, recognizes that AI technologies may serve as useful tools in supporting research activities; however, their use must not replace the intellectual contribution of the author.

The use of AI must comply with the legislation of Ukraine, international standards of publication ethics, and the University’s internal regulatory documents.

In this Policy, the terms are used in the following meaning:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) – the ability of computer systems to simulate human intellectual functions such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, speech and image recognition. This includes machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and other related technologies.
  • AI system – software (and possibly hardware) designed using one or more AI technologies, capable, for a given set of human-defined objectives, of generating outputs such as content, predictions, recommendations, or decisions that influence the environment with which the system interacts.
  • AI-assisted technologies – automated tools that use machine learning algorithms, generative models, or other intelligent mechanisms..
  • Generative AI – AI-driven systems that simulate human cognitive activity and are capable of producing text, images, code, or other materials.
  • AI disclosure – notification by authors regarding the use of AI in the preparation of a publication.

Principles of the use of AI in the preparation of scientific publications in the University’s periodical journals:

  • legality;
  • academic integrity;
  • transparency;
  • author responsibility;
  • reproducibility of research results;
  • protection of personal data;
  • non-discrimination;
  • ensuring human authorship.
The use of AI is permitted as a supporting tool in the preparation of scientific publications in the University’s periodical journals in the following cases: linguistic editing of text (grammar, style, translation), manuscript formatting, literature search, structuring of material, generation of research ideas, data visualization, programming, automation of data processing, plagiarism checking, and technical preparation of graphics. In all cases, the author is obliged to critically verify the results.

Unacceptable areas of AI use in the preparation of scientific publications in the University’s periodical journals include: generating research results without verification, data falsification, automatic writing of a paper without author involvement, listing AI as an author, generating fictitious sources, manipulating peer review, concealing the use of AI, and violating confidentiality.

Authors of scientific publications are required to openly declare any use of machine learning algorithms, generative models, automated analysis tools, or text generation systems that have influenced the preparation of the manuscript. Disclosure must be made regardless of the extent of AI use. Information about the use of AI should be included in a dedicated section of the article titled “Use of AI”.

Authors must clearly identify the AI tool used, indicate its full name, the developer, and, where possible, the version. If multiple tools are used, each must be described separately. In the case of proprietary or experimental models, a brief description of the architecture or platform must be provided.

Authors must describe the methods used to ensure the reliability of results obtained with the assistance of AI. Such methods may include expert verification by the author or research team, verification of sources and facts, re-analysis or manual checking of data, use of alternative methods or tools, and assessment of risks related to errors, AI hallucinations, or model bias.

Verification of the use of AI in scientific publications is carried out by the editorial board of the periodical journal at all stages of the editorial process. The verification algorithm includes the following stages:

  1. Initial screening: checking the completeness of information and recording the type of AI tool used.
  2. Technical manuscript screening: use of tools for detecting AI-generated content, checking stylistic anomalies, analyzing repetitive text patterns, and verifying the reliability of sources.
  3. Expert editorial evaluation: assessment of the logical consistency of the publication sections, verification of methodological compliance, analysis of possible AI hallucinations, and evaluation of the reliability of statistical data.
  4. Peer-review verification: reviewers are encouraged to identify possible signs of AI use, may request additional clarifications, and assess the scientific contribution of the author.
  5. Author inquiry (if necessary): request for detailed explanations, submission of prompts or their usage description, provision of raw data or working materials.
  6. Editorial decision-making: confirmation of correct use of AI, requirement for revision, rejection of the manuscript, or initiation of an investigation procedure.

In the event of violations being detected, the editorial board of the periodical journal may suspend the editorial process, initiate a review by the Commission on Academic Integrity and Ethics, notify the author’s institution, or retract the publication.

The verification algorithm is reviewed at least once every two years.

The actual use of AI does not relieve authors of responsibility for the accuracy of results, interpretations, and formulations. Failure to disclose the use of AI may be considered by the editorial board as a violation of academic integrity and publication ethics.

Regulations on the Use of Artificial Intelligence
at Lviv University of Trade and Economics

Regulation on Compliance with the Principles of Academic Integrity
at Lviv University of Trade and Economics

Regulation on Editorial Policy and Ethical Standards for Publications in Scientific Journals
of Lviv University of Trade and Economics