Annenberg Media policy on use of artificial intelligence (AI)

Annenberg Media’s policy is that journalists may not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write articles, scripts or create photos or other multimedia. Journalists are responsible for the material we produce, air and publish. Every word, image or video published and broadcasted must be made or taken by a human.

Annenberg Media recognizes AI as a tool that can support journalists and help them become more efficient with their reporting. The rapid advancement of AI means that journalists must keep up with technology. Being literate in how AI works and using it ethically is the best way for our journalists to serve the community.

As a classroom and a newsroom within the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, Annenberg Media trains young journalists to use news judgment and critical thinking in all of their work. While they may use AI for research, simply put, there should be no copying and pasting of material not generated by a human. As a standard practice, verifying information is key for any journalist, and that applies to material gathered via reporting or research.

Current uses of AI

To generate transcripts of interviews

Some of our journalists use Otter.ai, an AI model, to transcribe, record and summarize interviews. Reporters are responsible for double-checking the authenticity of transcribed quotes and material. 

Identifying possible sources 

Some of our journalists use AI as a search tool to suggest possible interview sources. Journalists must thoroughly vet suggested sources and continue to apply standard reporting procedures.

We do not see AI as a substitute for the ethics and accuracy of journalists. We are committed to rigorously vetting and editing any work before it is posted, aired or published.