General Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

General Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Kwartalnik Historyczny

We regard a scholarly text as the result of the individual intellectual work of its author(s), grounded in independent source analysis, critical reflection, and responsibility for the theses and interpretations presented. This document defines the principles governing the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a manner that does not violate standards of scholarly integrity, research ethics, or the autonomy of the creative process. These principles apply to authors, reviewers, and editors of Kwartalnik Historyczny.

§1. Definitions and General Principles

1. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) shall be understood as the use of generative systems capable of creating, transforming, or organizing textual, visual, or data-based content, in particular large language models.
2. AI tools may serve as technical support; however, they may not replace critical thinking, the research process, or the author’s creative work.
3. The use of AI systems must comply with applicable law, in particular regulations concerning intellectual property protection, personal data, and privacy rights, as well as the principles of research ethics and good scholarly practice.
   
   §2. Scope of Permissible and Impermissible Uses of AI

1. The following uses of AI are considered impermissible in particular:

a) generating all or part of a scholarly text,
b) creating narrative, analytical, interpretative, or synthetic passages,
c) preparing literature reviews, summaries of scholarship, and historiographical reconstructions,
d) formulating theses, hypotheses, arguments, and conclusions,
e) generating abstracts, titles, and keywords without the author’s independent preparation,
f) citing translations generated by AI without independent verification by the author.

2. Only auxiliary technical uses of AI are permissible, in particular for:

a) spelling and grammar correction,
b) improving stylistic readability without interfering with the structure of the argument,
c) technical formatting of the text,
d) organizing bibliographies.

3. The use of AI may not lead to the replacement of the author’s intellectual work or to transferring the interpretation of the past to automated systems.

§3. Principles Concerning Authors

1. Authors are required to disclose the use of AI tools. Textual or visual materials generated by AI must be clearly identified, together with the name of the tool and the date of generation.
2. Together with the submitted text, the author shall provide a statement specifying the scope of AI use and confirming that such tools were not employed to generate substantive academic content.
3. AI-generated materials that are not properly identified shall be treated as plagiarism, with all consequences provided for in the editorial policy.
4. Authors bear full responsibility for the factual accuracy, completeness, reliability, and impartiality of the text, including the correctness of citations and references to the scholarly literature.
5. AI tools may not be listed as authors or co-authors. AI technology does not possess the status of a scientifically responsible entity.
6. Texts which, despite formal disclosure of AI use, suggest impermissible substitution of the author’s intellectual work may be rejected without being sent for peer review.
   
   §4. Procedure in Cases of Doubt and Verification

1. If justified doubts arise concerning the independent authorship of a text, the editorial board has the right to:

a) request explanations from the author concerning the process of preparing the text,
b) request draft or working versions of the text,
c) submit the text for additional evaluation.

2. Refusal to cooperate on the part of the author may constitute grounds for rejection of the text.

3. The discovery of undisclosed or impermissible use of AI may result in:

a) rejection of the text,
b) retraction of the publication,
c) notification of the author’s affiliated institution.

§5. Principles Concerning Reviewers

1. Reviewers shall not use AI tools in the process of evaluating texts, as they bear personal responsibility for the content of their reviews.
2. Reviewers may not upload reviewed texts or the contents of reviews into generative AI systems.
3. In the event of suspected undisclosed or impermissible use of AI, reviewers shall notify the editorial board and shall not undertake independent verification using automated tools.

§6. Principles Concerning Editors

1. Editors shall not upload submitted texts or fragments thereof into generative AI systems, except in situations connected with the verification procedure referred to in § 4.
2. The editorial board shall undertake actions aimed at clarifying doubts concerning the use of AI, with due respect for the author’s rights and the principles of confidentiality.