AI Usage Policy

Understanding Our AI Usage Policy

AI Usage Policy

Our Approach to Artificial Intelligence

We recognise that artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance aspects of the editorial process by improving efficiency and supporting journalists in research and content production. However, AI is a tool—not a substitute for editorial judgement, independent reporting, or human accountability.

Our publication is committed to using AI responsibly, ethically, and transparently while maintaining the highest standards of journalism.

Human Oversight

All content published by our publication is reviewed and approved by a qualified editor before publication. Editorial responsibility always rests with our human editorial team.

No article is published solely on the basis of AI-generated content without appropriate human review, editing, and verification.

How We Use AI

We may use AI tools to assist with tasks such as:

• Brainstorming story ideas and headlines
• Research assistance
• Summarising publicly available information
• Transcribing interviews or recordings
• Improving grammar, spelling, and readability
• Translating content
• Generating metadata, tags, or search engine descriptions
• Supporting data analysis and workflow automation

These uses are intended to support our journalists and editors—not replace them.

Verification of AI-Generated Information

AI systems can produce inaccurate, outdated, or misleading information. For this reason:

• AI-generated text is never treated as a verified source.
• Facts, quotations, statistics, legal references, and other factual claims generated with AI are independently verified before publication.
• Editorial staff are responsible for checking the accuracy, context, and reliability of any AI-assisted output.

Original Journalism

We value original reporting and independent journalism.

Our journalists conduct interviews, gather evidence, review official documents, and verify information independently. AI is not used as a substitute for original reporting or investigative journalism.

Transparency

Where AI has materially contributed to published content in a way that readers should reasonably know about, we may disclose its use within the article or accompanying editorial notes.

Routine editorial uses of AI, such as grammar checking or workflow assistance, may not be individually disclosed.

Images, Audio, and Video

If AI-generated or AI-enhanced images, illustrations, audio, or video are published, we aim to label them clearly when there is a reasonable possibility that audiences could mistake them for authentic documentary material.

We do not intentionally publish deceptive synthetic media that could mislead readers about real events or individuals.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

We respect copyright, intellectual property rights, and applicable laws governing the use of AI technologies.

Editors and contributors are expected to ensure that AI-assisted content does not knowingly infringe the rights of creators or reproduce copyrighted material without appropriate permission or legal justification.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Editors and contributors should not submit confidential, sensitive, or legally protected information to AI systems unless doing so complies with applicable laws, contractual obligations, and our internal data protection practices.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information and confidential sources throughout the editorial process.

Ethical Standards

Our use of AI is guided by the following principles:

• Accuracy
• Fairness
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Editorial independence
• Respect for privacy
• Compliance with applicable laws
• Responsible innovation

AI must never be used to fabricate interviews, invent quotations, create fictional sources, manipulate evidence, or otherwise mislead readers.

Continuous Review

Artificial intelligence technologies continue to evolve rapidly. We regularly review our policies and editorial practices to ensure that our use of AI remains responsible, ethical, and aligned with recognised standards of journalism.

Contact

If you have questions about our use of artificial intelligence or wish to raise concerns about AI-assisted content published on our platform, please contact our editorial team using the details provided on our Contact page.

By publishing this policy, we reaffirm that artificial intelligence serves as a supporting tool within our newsroom, while human editors retain full responsibility for every piece of content we publish.