Artificial Intelligence and NC Local
NC Local is a human-driven organization. If we choose to use AI, or artificial intelligence, we do so only to supplement the work of our journalists.
Accuracy and accountability rests with the people who make up our editorial operation. Because we are ultimately responsible for our content, we do not view AI as a substitute for journalists. Instead, we use AI tools to make our work more efficient and thorough. Work with AI tools requires human verification.
Responsible AI use includes minimizing our environmental footprint, so we prioritize efficient tools and minimal use of AI.
Transparency
When we use AI tools, we disclose that use through a short tagline, a caption or an editor’s note. When appropriate, we will include the prompts that are fed into the model to generate the material.
We do not enter sensitive or identifying information about our audience members, sources or our own staff into any generative AI tools.
We do not publish unedited AI-generated text, and we do not use AI to generate photos. We do use tools with AI functions, such as Canva, on some visuals/graphics.
Efficiency
We may use generative AI tools to assist with copyediting tasks, such as identifying grammar issues, suggesting style improvements or rephrasing sentences for clarity.
Journalists use AI tools to transcribe audio interviews into written copy. This work is checked by human staff.
Search Engines, such as Google or Bing, use short summaries of a webpage’s content called meta descriptions. We use AI tools to generate these short snippets, SEO keywords and headlines. Using AI for these SEO strategies makes our reporting process more efficient by giving us more time to fact-check the full story for accuracy and fairness.
Research and Data Analysis
Where the need arises, we may use AI tools to research a subject or analyze data. Because many of these tools are prone to factual errors, staff will verify all outputs.
Thanks to Trusting News and Poynter for guidance on AI policies.