1. Purpose
This policy seeks to guide all actors linked to Universitas-XXI, Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas in the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools at all stages of the editorial process. Its purpose is to guarantee authenticity, academic rigor, scientific integrity, respect for copyrights and the quality of publications, in addition to preserving the confidentiality of the information used.

2. Scope
The rules described here apply to all participants in the journal's editorial process: authors, reviewers, and members of the editorial team. They apply to any use of AI in activities such as peer review, data collection, text generation, content translation, proofreading or other related activities.

3. Core Guidelines

Transparency in AI Use

• Authors must explicitly disclose any use of AI tools, specifying the system or model employed and its purpose (e.g., statistical analysis, drafting sections, translation).

• This disclosure should be included in the Methodology section or, for minor applications (e.g., style adjustments), added as a footnote.

Authorship and Accountability

• Authors retain full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of their content, even when AI is used.

• Under no circumstances may an AI tool be listed as a coauthor. Authorship is reserved exclusively for individuals who contribute substantially to the design, execution, and writing of the work.

• All AI-generated text or results must be rigorously reviewed to prevent plagiarism, inaccuracies, or misleading information.

Originality and Intellectual Property

• Manuscripts must be original and unpublished. The use of AI does not justify the unauthorized reproduction of third-party content.

• If AI processes external texts (e.g., literature summaries), authors must ensure compliance with citation standards and licensing agreements.

• Any AI-generated content resembling existing material must be properly cited.

Research Ethics

• Data used to train AI models must adhere to privacy laws and data protection regulations.

• The use of AI to manipulate results, fabricate data, or mislead during peer review is strictly prohibited.

• For studies involving sensitive data processed by AI, prior approval from an ethics committee is required.

Peer Review and Confidentiality

• AI tools do not replace independent peer review but serve as complementary resources.

• Reviewers who use AI to support their evaluation should declare it to the editorial committee, indicating the tool and the use it was given.

• While the journal ensures manuscript confidentiality, authors are urged to avoid uploading restricted data to public AI platforms.

4. Consequences of Noncompliance

• Violations of this policy (e.g., concealing AI use that compromises the work’s integrity) may lead to immediate rejection or suspension of the manuscript’s evaluation.

• If breaches are identified post-publication, retraction protocols aligned with international ethical standards will be enforced.

5. Policy Updates

• Universitas-XXI reserves the right to revise this policy in response to advancements in AI technology and evolving global ethical standards. Authors are encouraged to regularly consult the journal’s editorial guidelines on its official website.

• No fixed and universal percentage will be established to determine the acceptable use of AI, due to contextual variations and the limitations of current detectors. However, if extensive or unwarranted use is detected that compromises the originality, integrity, or authorship of the paper, the editorial board may request clarification, request adjustments, or reject the manuscript.

6. Use of artificial intelligence by the editorial team

• The Universitas-XXI editorial team may use AI in tasks considered pertinent without affecting the ethics of editorial management.
• Any AI tool used in processes that affect the content of the manuscript must be communicated to authors and reviewers.
• AI-generated content detectors will be used to identify similarities and possible undeclared uses.