Generative AI Policy

Generative AI Policy Statement

Pi: Mathematics Education Journal

This policy has been developed in response to the growing use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in academic research and scholarly communication. As these tools continue to evolve and influence research practices, Pi: Mathematics Education Journal seeks to provide clear guidance that promotes transparency, integrity, and responsible use among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. The journal will regularly review and update this policy in line with emerging best practices.

1. Guidance for Authors

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Manuscript Preparation

Pi: Mathematics Education Journal acknowledges the potential value of generative AI and AI-assisted tools (“AI Tools”) when used responsibly to support scholarly work. These tools may assist in synthesizing literature, generating preliminary ideas, structuring content, or improving language clarity.

However, AI Tools must never replace human scholarly judgment, critical analysis, or original intellectual contribution. Authors are expected to apply careful oversight to any AI-generated content and remain fully accountable for the integrity of their manuscripts.

Author Responsibilities

Authors bear full responsibility for:

  1. Accuracy and Verification:
    Carefully evaluating all AI-generated material for factual accuracy, completeness, fairness, and reliability. References or citations produced by AI tools must be verified, as they may be inaccurate or fabricated.

  2. Originality and Human Contribution:
    Ensuring that the manuscript authentically reflects the author’s own insights, interpretation, and scholarly work. AI-generated content must be revised and integrated thoughtfully rather than accepted verbatim.

  3. Transparency:
    Disclosing the use of AI Tools in a dedicated statement upon submission. Authors must specify the name of the tool, its purpose, and the level of human oversight involved. Routine grammar or spelling checks do not require disclosure.

  4. Privacy, Rights, and Compliance:
    Ensuring that AI Tools used do not compromise data privacy, confidentiality, intellectual property rights, or unpublished materials. Authors must review the terms of any tool to avoid granting unwanted rights to proprietary content or limiting future publication.

Responsible Use Requirements

  • Inputs containing sensitive or personally identifiable information must not be submitted to AI systems unless the tool explicitly guarantees data protection.

  • AI-generated images, illustrations, or visual representations of real individuals, copyrighted materials, or branded content must not be created or used.

  • Authors must ensure that AI Tools do not claim rights to their inputs or outputs that could interfere with publication.

Authorship

AI Tools may not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires human accountability, the ability to approve the final manuscript, and responsibility for addressing concerns related to accuracy or integrity. Authors must ensure compliance with ethical publishing standards and confirm that all named authors meet authorship criteria.

Use of AI in Figures, Images, and Artwork

The journal does not permit the use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools to create, modify, or enhance figures, images, or diagrams in submitted manuscripts. Adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color are acceptable only if they do not obscure or alter the original information.

Exceptions apply only when the use of such tools is part of the research methodology (e.g., AI-supported data analysis or imaging processes). In such cases, authors must describe the methodological use in detail, including tool names, versions, and reproducibility conditions.

AI-generated artwork (e.g., graphical abstracts, cover art) is generally not permitted unless prior approval is obtained from the Editorial Team and all rights and attributions are clearly documented.

2. Guidance for Reviewers

Confidentiality and Use of AI Tools in Peer Review

Manuscripts submitted for review are strictly confidential. Reviewers must not upload any part of a manuscript—or their review report—to generative AI systems, as doing so may compromise confidentiality, copyright, proprietary information, or data privacy.

Reviewers must conduct assessments independently, using their own expertise. AI Tools must not be used to evaluate the scientific merit, originality, or educational contributions of a manuscript. The risk of generating inaccurate, biased, or incomplete assessments renders AI-assisted review inappropriate.

Reviewers remain fully responsible and accountable for the content and integrity of their peer review reports.

3. Guidance for Editors

Confidentiality and Editorial Decision-Making

Editors must treat all submitted material as confidential and must not upload manuscripts, decision letters, or internal correspondence to generative AI systems. AI Tools may not be used to evaluate the quality, contribution, or suitability of a manuscript, as editorial judgment requires human expertise.

Editors are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the review and decision-making process. If concerns arise regarding improper AI use by authors or reviewers, editors should notify the Editorial Board for further evaluation.

4. Journal Use of AI in the Publication Process

Pi: Mathematics Education Journal may use select AI-assisted technologies to support administrative or technical aspects of the publication workflow. These may include:

  • Identifying appropriate reviewers

  • Conducting technical checks for formatting and completeness

  • Screening for plagiarism or research integrity issues

  • Supporting copy editing and post-acceptance quality checks

All tools used by the journal comply with data privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards, and operate under human oversight. Final editorial decisions are made by qualified human editors.

Pi: Mathematics Education Journal supports the responsible and transparent use of generative AI as a tool to enhance scholarly communication, while ensuring that human expertise, academic integrity, and ethical standards remain central to the research and publication process. This policy aims to foster trust among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, and safeguard the quality of research in mathematics education.