Emerald AI Guidelines

Policy Summary

Emerald permits authors to use generative AI tools/LLMs for copy-editing to improve a manuscript’s language and readability, where this involves modifying existing author-created material rather than generating wholly new content. Authors must clearly and transparently flag any use of AI tools within the work and must take full responsibility for the accuracy of all submitted content, including verifying citations and references. If the required AI-use information is not provided, it may be requested during review or after publication, and its absence could result in rejection or post-publication action. The policy requires authors to verify submitted material for accuracy, including citations and references, but does not otherwise specify additional human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• Any use of AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), for the creation, development, or generation of an Emerald publication must be flagged, clearly and transparently, by authors within the Methods and Acknowledgements (or another appropriate section) of the work. Authors must take full responsibility for the accuracy of all content considered for publication and verify that the material submitted, including citations and references, is correct, appropriately correlates with the research, and aligns with Emerald’s research and publishing ethics. If not provided, this information may be requested during the submission and peer review process, or after publication, and its absence could result in the rejection of the work or post-publication action. Copy-editing a submission or a peer review report using a generative AI tool/LLM to improve its language and readability is permitted as this mirrors standard tools already employed to improve spelling and grammar, and uses existing author-created material, rather than generating wholly new content, while the author(s) remains responsible for the original work. Emerald defines copy-editing as modifying existing material created by the author to improve its language, grammar, and spelling, whereas copywriting would be the creation of new material;

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics
• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/news-and-press-releases/emerald-publishings-stance-ai-tools-content-creation-and-peer-review

Policy Summary

Emerald does not permit copywriting or creating any part of an article, case study, or chapter using a generative AI tool or large language model, including generating an abstract or literature review. Emerald also states that LLMs cannot be credited with authorship. Authors must flag any use of generative AI tools in developing an Emerald publication within the manuscript and at the point of submission. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• Responsibility for the work created and accountability for its accuracy, integrity, and validity, in alignment with our authorship criteria, further directs Emerald’s position with regard to not permitting the copywriting and creation of any part of an article, case study, or chapter via an AI tool or Large Language Model. Copywriting any part of a submission using a generative AI tool/LLM is not permitted, including the generation of the abstract or the literature review. In accordance with COPE’s position statement on AI tools, LLMs cannot be credited with authorship as they do not have legal standing or the ability to assign copyright, are incapable of conceptualising a research design without human direction, and cannot be accountable for the integrity, originality, and validity of the published work. Specifically, that as those tools cannot take accountability for the work generated and be responsible for that content, they cannot be credited with the authorship of any Emerald publication, and the use of generative AI tools within the development of an Emerald publication must be flagged by the author(s) within the article, case study, or chapter, as well as at submission.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald permits republication of an article that has been translated from another language when the published article includes a statement that it is a translated and re-published work and cites the original source. The publisher supports using AI tools to improve a paper’s readability and language, and advises that such tools should not be used to replace key researcher tasks such as data analysis or drawing scientific conclusions. When AI is used for language improvement, authors should disclose the tool used and the purpose of its use in the manuscript at submission. Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, validity, and integrity of the content, and the policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• For articles translated from another language, there must be a statement in the article identifying that it has been translated and re-published, and the original source must be cited. Where AI is used, it should be to improve the readability and language of the paper, not to replace key researcher tasks like data analysis or drawing scientific conclusions. Authors should disclose the use of any AI or AI-assisted technology in their manuscript when submitting (in the acknowledgments section and the methods or ‘how the work was done’ section). Authors should specify the tool that was used and for what purpose. Authors take full responsibility for the originality, validity and integrity of the content of their paper.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald prohibits authors from using generative AI tools/LLMs to generate, manipulate, or report research data and results, including for in-text reporting of statistics. However, using a generative AI tool/LLM to aid analysis is permissible when it is appropriately and transparently declared. Authors must take full responsibility for the accuracy of all submitted material, including verifying citations and references. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• Generating, manipulating, or reporting research data and results using a generative AI tool/LLM is not permitted. In-text reporting of statistics using a generative AI tool/LLM is not permitted due to concerns over the authenticity, integrity, and validity of the data produced, although the use of such a tool to aid in the analysis of the work is permissible with appropriate and transparent declaration. Authors must take full responsibility for the accuracy of all content considered for publication and verify that the material submitted, including citations and references, is correct, appropriately correlates with the research, and aligns with Emerald’s research and publishing ethics.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald permits the submission and publication of images created using AI tools or large-scale generative models only when the images are intended for illustrative or visualisation purposes, and not for factual/evidential purposes. Permitted illustrative examples include explanatory diagrams, graphical abstracts, teaching illustrations, conceptual visualisations, and process flow diagrams, though authors are encouraged to check in advance of submission with the appropriate editorial contact. Such images must be accurate, free from errors, not misrepresent information, and must be clearly labelled as AI-generated in line with Emerald’s attribution policy, including citation of the tool name and version. Cover art created by generative AI is not permitted. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• The submission and publication of images created by AI tools or large-scale generative models is subject to their intended purpose and potential rights requirements. Purpose is here defined as either illustrative, which is permitted, or factual/evidential, which is not permitted. The following types of AI-generated images are permitted for illustrative or visualisation purposes only, but we encourage authors to check this in advance of submission with the appropriate editorial contact: explanatory diagrams, graphical abstracts, teaching illustrations, conceptual visualisations, and process flow diagrams. These images must be accurate, free from errors, and not misrepresent information; they should be clearly labelled as generated by AI in accordance with Emerald’s attribution policy and cite the name and version of the tool used. Cover art created by generative AI is, however, not permitted.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald permits AI-generated images only for illustrative or visualisation purposes (for example, conceptual diagrams) and prohibits their use as factual or evidential images. Submission of AI-generated images is subject to potential rights requirements, and authors are encouraged to check with the editor before submitting such images. Any permitted AI-generated images must be accurate, free from errors, not misrepresent information, be clearly labelled as AI-generated, and cite the tool name and version. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• The submission and publication of images created by AI tools or large-scale generative models is subject to their intended purpose and potential rights requirements. Purpose is here defined as either illustrative, which is permitted, or factual/evidential, which is not permitted. The following types of AI-generated images are permitted for illustrative or visualisation purposes only, but we encourage authors to check this in advance of submission with the appropriate editorial contact: explanatory diagrams, graphical abstracts, teaching illustrations, conceptual visualisations, and process flow diagrams. These images must be accurate, free from errors, and not misrepresent information; they should be clearly labelled as generated by AI in accordance with Emerald’s attribution policy and cite the name and version of the tool used. AI-generated factual or evidential images used to support specific scientific or technical claims without any basis in actual research are not permitted.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald permits authors to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process only to improve the language and readability of their paper, and not to replace key researcher tasks such as producing insights, analysing and interpreting data, or drawing conclusions. When authors use these technologies, they should disclose this use in the materials and methods (or similar) section and provide a statement in the acknowledgements. AI must not be listed as a co-author or cited as an author, and authors remain responsible for the work, including its originality, validity, and integrity. The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• Where authors use generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, these technologies should only be used to improve the language and readability of their paper and not to replace key researcher tasks such as producing scientific insights, analysing and interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions. Authors should also be transparent in disclosing their use of these technologies in the materials and methods or similar section of the paper, in addition to providing a statement in the acknowledgements. AI should not be listed as a co-author or cited as an author, and those using the technology are responsible for the work, including its originality, validity and integrity.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald requires authors to transparently flag any use of AI tools, including LLMs, within the manuscript and to specify what content was created or modified, along with the AI tool’s name and version. Authors must ensure that any additional works drawn on by the AI tool are properly cited and referenced, with required reproduction rights secured. Authors must take full responsibility for the accuracy of the submission, including verifying that citations and references are correct and appropriately aligned with the research and Emerald’s ethics standards. The policy specifies human verification is required for the accuracy of submitted content, including citations and references.

Evidence

• Any use of AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), for the creation, development, or generation of an Emerald publication must be flagged, clearly and transparently, by authors within the Methods and Acknowledgements (or another appropriate section) of the work. Authors must describe the content created or modified as well as appropriately cite the name and version of the AI tool used; any additional works drawn on by the AI tool should also be appropriately cited and referenced, with any necessary rights for reproduction secured. Authors must take full responsibility for the accuracy of all content considered for publication and verify that the material submitted, including citations and references, is correct, appropriately correlates with the research, and aligns with Emerald’s research and publishing ethics.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics

Policy Summary

Emerald prohibits authors from generating, manipulating, or reporting research data and results using generative AI tools/LLMs. Emerald states it may reject submissions and may take appropriate post-publication action if published material is found to include fabricated or fraudulent AI-generated content. Any use of AI tools for creating, developing, or generating an Emerald publication must be clearly and transparently flagged by authors in the Methods and Acknowledgements (or another appropriate section). The policy does not specify human review requirements for this classification.

Evidence

• Generating, manipulating, or reporting research data and results using a generative AI tool/LLM is not permitted. Emerald reserves the right to determine whether the use of an AI tool is permitted in a submitted work, and the right to reject submissions and to take appropriate post-publication action on published material found to feature fabricated or fraudulent AI-generated content. Any use of AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), for the creation, development, or generation of an Emerald publication must be flagged, clearly and transparently, by authors within the Methods and Acknowledgements (or another appropriate section) of the work.

Source

• https://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/publish-with-us/ethics-integrity/research-publishing-ethics