Ensuring Ethical Publication Practices in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Era: Addressing Misconduct and Predatory Publishing (2026)
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into scholarly publishing has transformed how research is written, reviewed, and disseminated—but it has also introduced new forms of publication misconduct. From undisclosed AI-generated content and manipulated images to paper mills and predatory journals exploiting automated tools, the integrity of academic publishing faces unprecedented challenges. This blog explores how journals, editors, reviewers, and authors can identify and address misconduct in the AI era, examining the role of detection tools, transparent complaint mechanisms, and fair appeal processes. It also highlights the growing threat of predatory publishing practices amplified by AI and outlines practical, ethical strategies to safeguard research credibility while embracing responsible innovation in scholarly communication.