Generative AI technologies are changing the way we use and retrieve information and knowledge. At Journal of Integrated Natural Science (JINS), we are confident that artificial intelligence brings opportunities to further our mission of increasing the visibility, discoverability, and impact of academic research. At the same time, we are aware of the challenges and risks that come with the advances in generative AI technologies. In accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and international academic standards, JINS establishes the following policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools for authors:

1. AI and Authorship

Generative AI tools, Large Language Models (LLMs), or AI software (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, etc.) cannot be listed as an author or co-author of any paper published in JINS. Authorship requires accountability, legal responsibility, and moral integrity that can only be attributed to and exercised by humans. Each listed author must satisfy the four ICMJE authorship criteria and take full intellectual and ethical responsibility for the manuscript.

2. Permitted Uses & Disclosure Requirements

Authors may use AI and AI-assisted technologies to improve the readability, grammar, and language styling of their work, or to assist with preliminary computational data processing. Where such tools are utilized, authors must declare this transparently in the manuscript upon submission:

• A dedicated statement titled "Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies in the Writing Process" must be included before the reference list or within the Acknowledgments section.
• The disclosure must specify the name of the AI tool/service, model version, and the exact purpose for which it was applied.

3. Scientific Integrity & Prohibition of Fabricated Data

Authors remain entirely responsible for the factual accuracy, validity, originality, and integrity of all data, citations, figures, and text generated or assisted by AI. Generating synthetic research data, fabricating empirical laboratory findings, or manipulating scientific figures using AI constitutes serious research misconduct and is strictly prohibited.

4. Plagiarism & Intellectual Property

Text and content generated by AI must not infringe upon third-party copyrights or duplicate existing published literature without appropriate attribution. Authors must ensure all cited literature and empirical sources are verified against primary records to prevent AI-generated hallucinated or fraudulent citations.