Explore the top 9 AI journals in 2025 with impact factors, submission guidelines, publication fees, and indexing networks. A complete guide for AI researchers and data scientists.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest-evolving fields in science and technology. From machine learning and deep learning to natural language processing and computer vision, AI research has grown immensely over the past decade. Publishing in reputable AI journals is a crucial step for researchers, developers, and data scientists looking to contribute to and stay at the forefront of innovation.
This comprehensive guide explores the top 9 peer-reviewed AI journals in 2025, providing details on impact factors, submission periods, acceptance rates, publication charges, editorial policies, and indexing networks.
1. Artificial Intelligence (Elsevier)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 14.05
- Publisher: Elsevier
- Publication Frequency: Monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ No fee
- Publication Fee (APC): ✅ Optional Open Access: $3,300 (USD)
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, EI Compendex
- Website: Elsevier AI Journal
Overview:
One of the most prestigious and oldest journals in the field, Artificial Intelligence publishes original research articles, surveys, and theoretical work related to all aspects of AI, including machine learning, reasoning, planning, knowledge representation, and natural language understanding.
Submission Guidelines:
- Manuscripts must be 8,000–12,000 words.
- Peer review: Double-blind
- Time to First Decision: ~8 weeks
- Acceptance Rate: ~15%
2. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research (JAIR)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 8.71
- Publisher: AI Access Foundation
- Publication Frequency: Rolling (Open Access)
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): ❌ None
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, DBLP, Google Scholar
- Website: JAIR
Overview:
JAIR is a leading open-access AI journal that covers foundational and applied research in AI. Known for its quality and accessibility, JAIR is widely respected among academic and industry researchers.
Submission Guidelines:
- No page limit but encouraged conciseness.
- Rolling submission with rapid editorial decisions.
- Acceptance Rate: ~20%
3. IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 24.14
- Publisher: IEEE Computer Society
- Publication Frequency: Monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): Optional OA: $2,045
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore
- Website: TPAMI
Overview:
TPAMI is a premier journal focusing on computer vision, pattern recognition, and machine learning. It is among the highest-impact venues in AI and is widely cited across academia and industry.
Submission Guidelines:
- Double-blind peer review
- Extremely rigorous standards
- Time to Decision: ~4 months
- Acceptance Rate: <10%
4. Neural Networks (Elsevier)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 10.34
- Publisher: Elsevier
- Publication Frequency: Monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): Optional OA: $3,150
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, INSPEC
- Website: Neural Networks
Overview:
This journal publishes research on artificial and biological neural networks, deep learning, and brain-inspired algorithms. It welcomes both theoretical contributions and practical applications.
Submission Guidelines:
- Peer review: Single-blind
- Manuscripts should not exceed 8,000 words.
- Time to Decision: ~10 weeks
- Acceptance Rate: ~25%
5. Machine Learning (Springer)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 6.62
- Publisher: Springer
- Publication Frequency: Monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): Optional Open Access: €3,060
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, DBLP
- Website: Springer Machine Learning
Overview:
A highly respected journal dedicated to the theory, methodology, and application of machine learning. It is one of the oldest specialized publications in this domain.
Submission Guidelines:
- Article length: typically 20–30 pages
- Peer review: Single-blind
- Review Time: 3–5 months
- Acceptance Rate: ~20–25%
6. Nature Machine Intelligence
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 38.91
- Publisher: Springer Nature
- Publication Frequency: Monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): ✅ Open Access only: $11,690
- Indexing: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed
- Website: Nature Machine Intelligence
Overview:
This high-impact, selective journal publishes cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in AI, neuroscience, and robotics. It aims to bridge gaps between machine learning and real-world cognition and intelligence.
Submission Guidelines:
- Extremely selective (~6–8% acceptance rate)
- Manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening before peer review.
- Typical review time: 3–4 months
7. AI Open (KeAi / Elsevier)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 3.21 (early stage)
- Publisher: KeAi (Elsevier & Chinese Academy of Sciences)
- Publication Frequency: Quarterly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): ✅ $1,200 (until waived by 2026)
- Indexing: DOAJ, Scopus (early phase)
- Website: AI Open
Overview:
An emerging open-access journal focusing on applied AI solutions, governance, ethics, robotics, and smart systems. It’s gaining popularity in Asia and globally.
Submission Guidelines:
- Peer-reviewed by international editorial board
- Open to data papers and experimental designs
- Acceptance Rate: ~30%
8. Journal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 9.47
- Publisher: JMLR.org (independent, non-profit)
- Publication Frequency: Continuous
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): ❌ None (Free Open Access)
- Indexing: Scopus, DBLP, Google Scholar
- Website: JMLR
Overview:
JMLR is a top-tier, open-access machine learning journal with deep contributions to theory and practice. Its community-first model ensures high standards without commercial influence.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions must be deeply original and technically rigorous.
- Length: No strict limits, but concise preferred
- Review Time: ~3–6 months
- Acceptance Rate: ~15–20%
9. ACM Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology (TIST)
- Impact Factor (2024): ★ 4.90
- Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Publication Frequency: Bi-monthly
- Submission Fee: ❌ None
- Publication Fee (APC): ✅ Optional: $1,700
- Indexing: ACM Digital Library, Scopus, Web of Science
- Website: ACM TIST
Overview:
ACM TIST covers research on intelligent systems, recommendation engines, human-computer interaction, and intelligent agents. It is respected in both academic and applied AI circles.
Submission Guidelines:
- Double-blind peer review
- Strong focus on reproducibility and dataset availability
- Review Duration: 3–5 months
- Acceptance Rate: ~18–22%
Final Comparison Table
| Journal | Impact Factor | Open Access? | APC | Submission Fee | Indexed In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence (Elsevier) | 14.05 | Optional | $3,300 | No | Scopus, WoS |
| JAIR | 8.71 | Yes | Free | No | Scopus, WoS |
| TPAMI | 24.14 | Optional | $2,045 | No | IEEE, Scopus |
| Neural Networks | 10.34 | Optional | $3,150 | No | Scopus, WoS |
| Machine Learning (Springer) | 6.62 | Optional | €3,060 | No | SpringerLink |
| Nature Machine Intelligence | 38.91 | Mandatory | $11,690 | No | WoS, Scopus |
| AI Open | 3.21 | Yes | $1,200 | No | DOAJ, Scopus |
| JMLR | 9.47 | Yes | Free | No | DBLP, WoS |
| ACM TIST | 4.90 | Optional | $1,700 | No | ACM DL, Scopus |
Choosing the right AI journal depends on your research depth, speed requirements, and budget. Journals like JMLR, JAIR, and TPAMI offer prestige, while AI Open and ACM TIST provide solid alternatives with more flexible scopes.
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