Artificial Intelligence Policy

We use artificial intelligence to help make our work more useful, accessible, and efficient. Our journalism remains human-led, human-edited, and human-accountable. We do not use artificial intelligence as a substitute for reporting, editorial judgment, or accountability.

Our use of AI is guided by our commitment to trust with the communities we serve, and our belief that technology should strengthen, not weaken, the value of our work. We are further guided by our Ethics Policy.

Any use of artificial intelligence must meet the same standards for verification and editorial review as any other part of our work. When we make a mistake, whether in fact or in context, we correct it in accordance with our Corrections Policy.

We are careful about privacy, confidentiality, copyright, and source protection when using artificial intelligence tools. We do not enter confidential or unpublished sensitive information into unapproved AI systems. We are further guided by our Privacy Policy.

What we may use AI for

We may use AI to assist with tasks such as:

• analyzing large datasets or documents;
• assisting with research, fact-checking, and verification;
• brainstorming headlines, questions, or story structure;
• detecting errors in spelling and grammar;
• editing photos, audio, and video;
• generating first drafts of our written work, including sponsored content;
• summarizing audio, visual, and/or written work from other sources;
• transcribing, translating, and making information more accessible;
• product, coding, workflow, and business operations work.

When we use AI in these ways, a human remains responsible for reviewing the work, checking it for accuracy, and deciding whether and how it will be used.

What we do not use AI for

We do not allow AI to replace reporting, editorial judgment, or accountability. We do not use AI to produce original reporting for publication on its own. We also do not use AI to create misleading images, audio, or video that could cause readers to mistake synthetic material for authentic reporting.

When we disclose AI use

We will disclose our use of AI when it plays a significant role in published work, especially when:

• AI was used to analyze material at a scale that would not otherwise have been practical;
• AI was used to generate images, audio, translation, or other content presented directly to the audience;
• a reader could reasonably feel misled if we did not explain how AI was used.

If you would like more information regarding our Artificial Intelligence Policy, please contact hello@taprootpublishing.ca.