Artificial Intelligence in Scholarly Publishing: Ethical Considerations and Best Practices

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it has become an integral part of scholarly publishing, influencing research writing, peer review and ethical considerations. This study examines AI-related policies, guidelines and standards from ten publishers, out of which 8 are within the DRDO e-Journal Consortium, with a focus on AI usage in research and academic publications. Among these, Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, IEEE, Taylor and Francis and Emerald rank among the top 20 global publishers, as per the Scilit database (February 2025). A thematic analysis of these policies reveals notable inconsistencies in key areas such as AI authorship, disclosure requirements, AI-assisted writing and image generation. While most publishers mandate human accountability and transparency, variations exist in how AI-generated content is regulated, particularly in peer review and research integrity. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardised ethical guidelines to ensure responsible AI integration in scholarly communication. As AI technology continues to advance, academic publishers must regularly update their policies to uphold research integrity, transparency and ethical best practices.

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