AI Usage Policy

Valonia: A Journal of Anatolian Pasts

Valonia adopts an ethical, transparent, and responsible approach to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies in scholarly publishing processes. This policy, structured separately for authors, reviewers, and editors, aims to protect academic production grounded in human creativity, ensure the quality of publications, and foster trust among all stakeholders.

1. AI Use Policy for Authors

• AI tools may only be used to improve the language and readability of the manuscript.
• Any use of AI must be clearly disclosed within the manuscript, and the name, version, and purpose of the tool must be indicated in the references.
• AI may not be used to generate scholarly content, interpret data, conduct historical analysis, or draw conclusions.
• AI must not be listed as an author or co-author and cannot be cited as the source of any content.
• Figures, visuals, or graphical abstracts generated with AI are only acceptable if they are an explicit part of the research methodology and properly documented in the methods section.
• Given the risk that AI tools may generate false or fabricated content, authors are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all AI-generated material and accept full responsibility for any resulting consequences.

2. AI Use Policy for Reviewers

• All materials involved in the review process (manuscripts, supplementary files, reports) are confidential and must not be uploaded to generative AI systems.
• Peer review reports must be based solely on the reviewer’s own assessment; AI tools must not be used to generate or edit any part of the report.
• Since scholarly evaluation requires critical thinking and independent judgment, the use of AI technologies in the review process is deemed inappropriate.
• Inclusion of AI-generated content in review reports may result in the termination of the review process.

3. AI Use Policy for Editors

• Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts and related correspondence as confidential documents and must not upload them to AI systems under any circumstances.
• Editorial decision letters, notifications, and review notes must not be generated or edited using AI tools.
• The evaluation of manuscripts and all editorial decisions are solely the responsibility of human editors.
• If an editor suspects a violation of this policy in a submitted manuscript or a reviewer report, they must promptly inform the publisher.

Valonia: A Journal of Anatolian Pasts adheres to Koç University’s academic principles on AI use and follows the standards outlined in Elsevier’s Generative AI Policies for Journals.

This policy will be reviewed periodically in light of technological developments in artificial intelligence and updated as needed. All authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to comply with these guidelines.