Guidance and PolicY on Using AI in Our Work.
Generative artificial intelligence is the use of large language models to create something new, such as text, images, graphics and interactive media. Although generative AI has the potential to improve newsgathering, it also has the potential to harm journalists’ credibility and our unique relationship with our audience.
As we proceed, the following four core values will guide our work:
Transparency
When we publish any content that was created by AI, we will tell our audience. This may be a short tagline, a caption or credit, or something more substantial, like an editor’s note. When appropriate, we will include the prompts that were fed into the model to generate the material.
Internally, it will be clear to our peers and our bosses whenever we are using generative AI. This will facilitate collective learning and help us create applicable, transitory policies as the technologies evolve.
Accuracy and human verification
All information generated by AI requires human verification. Everything we publish will live up to our standards of verification. Increasingly in all of our work, it is important to be explicit about how we know that facts are facts. This will be particularly important when using AI. For example, an editor should review prompts, and any other inputs used to generate a story or other material. And, everything should be replicable.
Audience service
Our work in AI should be guided by what will be useful to our audience as we serve them. We have made a promise to our audience to provide them with information that is based on fact and truth. We do not hold back in criticizing either political party. While Progressive ideology is more in line with the policies of the Democratic party, readers will see more criticism of the Republican party. However, all politicians are fair game for criticism, regardless of party affiliation, whenever it’s warranted. See our mission statement and about us pages for more information on our intentions and goals.
Exploration
With the three previous principles as our foundation, we will embrace exploration and experimentation, while ensuring that any text or graphics created using AI are properly labeled for transparency and edited for accuracy.
See also: Our Ethics Policy
Last updated: July 26, 2024.
