Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) Use Policy

1. Purpose

China and WTO Review (CWR) recognizes the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, etc.) in academic research and writing. This policy aims to ensure transparency, academic integrity, and responsible use of GenAI while maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publishing.

2. General Principles

  • Human Accountability: Authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content in their submitted manuscripts.
  • AI Cannot Be an Author: Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires human intellectual contribution, critical analysis, and accountability, which AI cannot provide.
  • Transparency: Any use of GenAI must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

Permitted Uses (with mandatory disclosure):

  • Grammar, spelling, and language polishing.
  • Improving readability and clarity of the text.
  • Assisting with literature search or data analysis (the final analysis and interpretation must be conducted by the authors).
  • Generating preliminary drafts of figures, tables, or code (must be reviewed, verified, and substantially modified by authors).

Prohibited Uses:

  • Generating the entire manuscript or substantial portions of the main text.
  • Creating core research ideas, arguments, or conclusions.
  • Fabricating data, references, or citations.
  • Substituting human critical thinking, legal analysis, or original contributions.
  • Using GenAI in ways that violate research ethics or copyright.

4. Disclosure Requirements

Authors must include a clear statement in the Acknowledgments or Methods section (or a separate “Generative AI Use” section) with the following information:

  • The name and version of the GenAI tool used.
  • How and for which specific parts of the manuscript the tool was used.
  • Confirmation that the authors have reviewed, verified, and take full responsibility for the AI-generated content.

Example Disclosure Statement:

“The authors used ChatGPT-4o (OpenAI, May 2026 version) to improve the English language expression and readability of the manuscript. All AI-generated content was carefully reviewed, edited, and verified by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the accuracy and originality of the final manuscript.”

5. Screening and Consequences

  • All submissions will be screened for undisclosed AI-generated content using appropriate detection tools.
  • Failure to disclose the use of GenAI or misuse of these tools may result in:
    • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
    • Notification to the authors’ institutions.
    • Possible bans on future submissions.
    • Retraction of the published article if discovered post-publication.

6. Reviewers and Editors

  • Reviewers and editors are also prohibited from using GenAI to generate review reports or editorial decisions without explicit disclosure.
  • Confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded into public GenAI tools.

7. Updates to This Policy

This policy will be reviewed regularly in accordance with evolving international standards (COPE, ICMJE, Elsevier, etc.) and technological developments.

Questions? Please contact the editorial office at: office@cwto.net