Generative AI and the future of writing for publication: insights from applied linguistics journal editors

Abstract The emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping academic writing and publishing practices. As knowledge curators, applied linguistics journal editors need to respond to GenAI developments. Yet, little is known about their perspectives on GenAI in academic writing and publishing. These perspectives could influence their editorial decisions and journal policies – potentially defining how scholars write for publication. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, this study explored the perceptions of ten applied linguistics journal editors towards GenAI in academic writing for publication. Analysis shows that the development of GenAI is putting additional strain on the editorial process, which is already struggling. It highlights that current publisher and journal policies on GenAI are ambiguous, leading to confusing and questionable research practices. Editors are cautious about the use of GenAI in applied linguistics research and writing, with only the use of these tools to improve writing quality universally acceptable. Transparency is seen as essential. The findings highlight a pressing need for discipline-specific guidance on the acceptable uses of GenAI in academic publishing and the development of methodological models that detail ways GenAI can be integrated into the field’s rich and diverse research traditions.