AI
Our position on AI and publishing
Bristol University Press is committed to the highest ethical and quality standards in scholarly publishing. We do not recognise AI as meeting the conditions of authorship, and authors are expected to bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality and accuracy of their work. The use of AI tools must be explicitly declared and detailed within submitted manuscripts or articles, and Bristol University Press reserves the right to reject any submission that violates our policy.
However, we also recognise that the practical implementation of AI is evolving rapidly. To that end, we have provided some guidance on how authors might use AI safely and responsibly. This is subject to periodic review. Authors are encouraged to speak with their editorial contact(s) should they have any queries about Bristol’s policy.
How can I safely use AI?
Authors should exercise caution when using publicly available AI chatbots such as ChatGPT or Claude, particularly when inputting published or unpublished manuscripts, articles and other research materials. Submitting such content to an AI chatbot might have implications for intellectual property rights and could lead to unintended distribution or use. Furthermore, many manuscripts and articles contain quotations, images, or other materials protected by third-party copyright, and the original rights holders might not have consented to their work being shared in this way. We encourage authors to use their best judgment and to consult their editorial contacts if they have any concerns about using AI.
What about private/locally hosted LLMs?
If authors are using a private or locally hosted large language model (LLM) where inputs remain secure and are not shared with third parties, we consider this to be a safe approach. However, authors should still refer to the rest of this guidance, as many of the principles outlined here will remain relevant.
Can I use AI to write my book or article?
AI does not meet the conditions of authorship, as it lacks the capacity for independent thought, accountability, and original intellectual contribution. Furthermore, AI-generated text is prone to errors, including spelling mistakes and the fabrication of facts, dates, names, and references—sometimes referred to as 'hallucinations.' These inaccuracies can undermine the integrity of scholarly work and may be difficult to detect.
Can I use it to edit and refine my work?
We make a distinction between AI-generated and AI-assisted writing. AI tools are becoming embedded in everyday applications such as Microsoft Office. When used responsibly, they can be a helpful, time-saving resource for authors (for example, refining expressions of thought). However, we recommend that authors use these tools cautiously. AI is not faultless, and it does not replace the search engine. As noted above, it is also prone to hallucinations and so any AI-edited work needs to be checked thoroughly.
It is also important to remember that all manuscripts and articles submitted to Bristol University Press will undergo professional copy-editing to ensure the highest editorial standards.
Is it appropriate to use AI for ideation?
We recognise AI as a helpful creative tool for brainstorming and gaining new perspectives. AI can support authors in generating ideas, exploring different angles, and structuring their thinking in novel ways. We encourage authors to use AI in this way, but we also urge cautious use in line with the guidance above.
Can I use AI to create illustrations?
This is a grey area, and we encourage authors to discuss their specific needs with their editorial contacts. In cases where AI is used to generate simple diagrams or charts, this is generally uncontroversial. However, AI-generated artwork such as cartoons, paintings, or photorealistic images presents potential ethical and legal concerns, as these outputs may incorporate elements derived from copyrighted works without the original creators' consent. At this time, Bristol University Press does not knowingly use AI-generated images for cover designs.
English is not my native language. Can I use AI to translate my work?
Translation is skilled labour, often carried out by professionals working in a freelance capacity. However, we recognise that there are arguments for using AI translation tools in cases where the costs of human translation would otherwise be prohibitive, potentially preventing important research from reaching wider audiences. We encourage authors to speak with us in the first instance to explore their options. Additionally, we remind authors that it is inadvisable to upload full manuscripts or articles into publicly available AI chatbots.
Will Bristol University Press license my work to technology companies?
Recent industry developments have seen publishers licensing copyrighted materials to AI firms for the purpose of training large language models. It is not our policy to unilaterally enter into such licensing agreements. We are committed to transparency and equity in all our publishing practices, and we believe that authors should have a voice in decisions affecting their work. Any discussions about the use of published content for AI training will be conducted in consultation with our authors, ensuring that their rights, interests, and values are respected.