AI Usage Policy at the deBlock 2026 International Scientific Conference
deBlock 2026 International Scientific Conference recognizes the use of artificial intelligence tools in scientific research and considers it part of today’s reality in knowledge production. This policy has been developed not to restrict the use of these tools, but to establish a responsible framework for their use. The basic principle is simple: AI can serve the researcher, but scientific responsibility for the work always rests with the human.
Use of AI by Authors
Transparency and Disclosure of AI Tool Use
Authors are required to transparently disclose any substantive use of AI tools in preparing their manuscript. This disclosure must include the name of the tool, the date or period of use, and a clear explanation of the nature and extent of the tool’s use. Use of AI for language editing, improving writing, initial brainstorming, summarization, or other limited assistance should be mentioned in the Acknowledgments section or in a separate section titled “AI Disclosure.” If AI has been used in data analysis, information processing, creating or processing images and figures, or other parts of the research methodology, the manner of use must also be explained in the Methods section or the relevant section of the paper. Simply stating the general phrase “AI was used” is not sufficient to meet the disclosure requirements.
Authorship and Accountability
AI tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author of the paper. Full responsibility for the scientific content, originality, accuracy of data, analyses, citations, and conclusions of the paper rests with the human authors. Generation or reproduction of the paper’s core scientific components by AI—including main arguments, findings, analyses, and scientific conclusions—is not permitted. Limited use of AI tools for language editing, improving writing, initial brainstorming, summarization, or technical assistance is permitted, provided it is transparently disclosed and reviewed by a human. The criterion for determining this is: would removing the AI’s output fundamentally change the scientific content of the work? If the answer is yes, the AI’s contribution has exceeded the permitted limit.
Citing AI Output
The output of generative AI tools must not be cited as a primary source or as a substitute for credible scientific sources. Authors are required to trace claims, data, and sources provided by AI tools back to their original, credible sources and to verify the accuracy of all citations. Use of sources or citations that were solely generated by an AI tool and not verified by the author is not acceptable.
Ethical Use of AI
Use of AI must be conducted ethically and responsibly, avoiding plagiarism, infringement of intellectual property and copyright, data fabrication, or misrepresentation of research results. Authors are required to ensure that AI-generated content does not infringe intellectual property rights and, where necessary, that appropriate citations are provided.
Privacy and Consent
When using AI tools that process data—particularly sensitive or personal data—authors are required to comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations. Necessary consents must be obtained, and data confidentiality must be maintained.
Quality Control and Verification
Authors are responsible for verifying the accuracy and reliability of content generated by AI. Rigorous quality control and human oversight are essential to uphold scientific publishing standards.
Hidden Content or Injected Instructions
The insertion of any hidden text, instructions, or content intended to influence the human review process or automated evaluation systems—including prompt injection—is prohibited. If such instances are identified, the secretariat may refer the paper for a research misconduct review, and, if misconduct is confirmed, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the conference’s regulations. (deBlock secretariat uses hidden-content detection tools when reviewing papers.)
Use of AI by Reviewers
Reviewers who use AI tools to assist in writing or editing their review report are required to disclose this use to the secretariat. However, responsibility for the scientific evaluation, opinions, and final decision on the paper rests solely with the reviewer. Uploading the full text or any part of the paper, review data, tables, figures, or any confidential information related to the paper into public AI tools is prohibited.
AI-Generated Images
The use of AI to generate or edit scientific images, charts, and figures must be transparently disclosed. In cases where an image or chart is generated based on research data, the authors are responsible for the accuracy of the data and for ensuring it is not distorted. AI-generated images that are not real or documentary in nature must be clearly labeled as AI-generated images.
At a Glance
Before submitting your paper, check these three points:
1. Fully and specifically disclose your use of AI: the tool’s name, the date, and its role in the work.
2. Generation or reproduction of the paper’s core scientific components by AI—including main arguments, findings, analyses, and scientific conclusions—is not permitted. Limited use of AI tools for language editing, improving writing, initial brainstorming, summarization, or technical assistance is permitted, provided it is transparently disclosed and reviewed by a human.
3. If AI is used to process sensitive or personal data, observe the relevant privacy considerations.
Intentional non-disclosure of AI use, or providing false information about how it was used, may be considered research misconduct and, depending on the nature and extent of the violation, may result in rejection of the paper or other actions in accordance with the conference’s regulations.
Key Points
– AI can be a valuable tool for research and writing, but it cannot replace human judgment and accountability.
– Transparency and adherence to ethical considerations are fundamental principles of AI use in scientific publishing.
– deBlock Conference emphasizes the responsible use of AI in a manner that complements human expertise and helps advance knowledge.
Note: This policy has been developed based on the current understanding and knowledge of AI and may be updated as this technology develops and evolves.
FAQs
Yes. Even “language editing and writing improvement” counts as a meaningful use and must be mentioned in the Acknowledgments or AI Disclosure section. However, you don’t need to provide methodological/technical details for it, since it doesn’t fall under Methods.
Translation also counts as a use of the tool and must be disclosed, since it affects the final text. However, the responsibility for the scientific accuracy of the translation (ensuring meaning or data hasn’t been distorted) rests with you.
It is, but with one important note: no source suggested by AI may be cited directly without verification. You must locate and confirm each reference yourself in reputable academic databases.
No. Since this type of use relates to the “research method,” you must, in addition to mentioning it in Acknowledgments, also explain in the Methods section exactly what was done and with which tool.
A practical criterion has been provided: if you removed the AI’s output from the paper, would the work’s scientific content (arguments, findings, conclusions) fundamentally change? If the answer is “yes,” then it has exceeded the permitted limit.
Yes, precision is required. You must specify the name of the tool or model and the date or time period of use — not just a general statement that “AI was used.”
Any use of AI in generating or editing scientific images and figures must be disclosed. If the image is not documentary or real in nature (e.g., a conceptual image), it must be explicitly labeled as an AI-generated image.
Intentional non-disclosure is considered research misconduct and, depending on the severity of the case, may result in rejection of the paper or other disciplinary measures under the conference’s regulations.
A reviewer may use AI to help write their review report, but must disclose this to the secretariat. However, uploading the full text or any part of the paper, data, tables, or any confidential information into public AI tools is completely prohibited.
This refers to placing hidden text or instructions (e.g., in file metadata) within the paper with the intent of misleading automated review systems or AI detection tools. This is considered entirely intentional, and the secretariat uses hidden-content detection tools to check for it — there is no cause for concern over normal, transparent use of conventional tools.
