In the context of the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating academic content, the editorial body establishes the following policy to guarantee integrity, transparency, and rigor in producing and disseminating scientific knowledge.

Authorship of Works and Use of Artificial Intelligence

The editorial body reaffirms that the works must be the exclusive property of the researchers and academics who developed the research, excluding the possibility that artificial intelligence tools may be considered co-authors. AI tools do not meet the essential requirements of authorship, such as the ability to assume ethical and legal responsibility for the content generated.

Therefore, authors cannot use AI exclusively to create their manuscripts. Suppose it is detected that an article has been produced mostly by AI without a substantial contribution from the author in terms of analysis, interpretation, and argumentation. In that case, it will be rejected before publication or retracted if it has already been published.

Authors are fully responsible for verifying, validating, and correcting any AI-assisted generated content, considering the risks of bias, misinformation, and generation of inconsistent data. Furthermore, its use is expected to respect the principles of scientific integrity, avoiding any practice that compromises the originality of the work, intellectual property rights, or improper data manipulation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research Methodology

Although artificial intelligence can be a methodological tool, it cannot replace critical analysis, academic reflection, or the rigorous research process. Its application must be complementary and aimed at improving the quality and clarity of manuscripts without compromising the objectivity of the results.

Authors who use AI in any phase of the development of their manuscript must explicitly declare its use, specifying:

• Name and version of the tool used.
• Detailed description of its application in the study.
• Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the results obtained through AI.
• Identify the aspects of the study, data, or content modified or generated by AI.

This information must be included in the Methods section, promoting transparency and strengthening ethics in scientific publication. The adequate disclosure of these practices favors the replicability of the studies and confidence in the research process.

Using AI to fabricate data at will, manipulate results, or generate misleading content will be considered a serious breach of academic ethics, leading to immediate rejection of the manuscript or retraction of the publication.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Image Generation

Using generative artificial intelligence to create or alter images is prohibited in scientific articles. However, in research where the methodological design involves AI for producing graphics, visualizations, or image analysis, authors must justify its use and describe the procedure in detail in the Methods section.

It must be ensured that the generated or edited images do not alter the research results or compromise the validity of the findings. Any omission in disclosing this information may be grounds for rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Data Generation

Artificial data generation for scientific studies is not permitted. Data collection, processing, and analysis must be based on rigorous empirical methods, using research techniques and instruments applied directly by the researchers.

The validity of the results must be supported by the application of recognized methodologies in the corresponding discipline, which is detailed precisely in the Methods section. Any attempt to use AI to fabricate data without a verifiable empirical basis will be considered a serious breach of the ethical standards of scientific publishing.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by Peer Reviewers

The peer review process is a cornerstone in evaluating the quality and validity of academic production. Given the crucial role of reviewers in making editorial decisions, using artificial intelligence tools to evaluate manuscripts or generate arbitration opinions is strictly prohibited.

Reviewers must make their judgments autonomously, reasonedly, and critically, ensuring their observations reflect their academic and methodological expertise. Delegating this responsibility to AI compromises the quality of the editorial process and the credibility of academic review, so any detection of its use in this context may result in the reviewer's exclusion from future evaluation processes.

Conclusion

RTED reaffirms its commitment to ethics in scientific publication and transparency in using new technologies. Artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in research, but its use must respond to principles of academic rigor, integrity, and responsibility.

Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in the rejection of the manuscript or, in the case of already indexed publications, the retraction of the article by international standards of ethics in scientific publication.