Quick Buzz Feed
Our principles, commitments, and current practices around the use of artificial intelligence
LAist is committed to transparently using artificial intelligence tools while upholding high-quality journalistic standards. This living document outlines six core principles guiding the integration of AI into LAist's digital and audio journalism, newsletters, social media, audience-facing tools, and internal operations. These principles emphasize accountability, verification, human voice and judgment, transparency, privacy and protection of sources, and service to the Los Angeles community.
LAist journalists are fully responsible for all published content, including any work where AI tools played a role. Every piece of AI-assisted journalism undergoes human review, and the accountable individual adheres to the same strict editorial standards as all other journalism produced by LAist.
Any output from an AI tool is considered unverified due to the potential for errors, fabrications, or biases. LAist's journalistic practice requires all AI-generated information to be based on originally reported materials and facts confirmed through original reporting and trusted sources before publication, maintaining consistent verification processes.
The essence of LAist journalism comes from its reporters, editors, and hosts. AI is explicitly not used to generate entire stories, nor is it employed to mimic the unique voice or likeness of any journalist or individual, ensuring that human judgment and relationships with communities remain central to LAist's work.
LAist pledges to disclose when AI significantly contributes to any published material. This includes transparently noting AI's use in investigations that synthesize large datasets and clearly labeling AI-powered products to inform the audience about the role of AI in the content they consume.
LAist strictly prohibits staff from entering sensitive source material, unreleased reporting, or private member/donor information into public AI tools. Only approved, secure platforms are used for sensitive data. Audience interactions with AI-powered tools are governed by the same rigorous data protection standards and privacy laws applied across all LAist products.
AI is considered a tool to enhance public service for Angelenos, specifically through features like translation, accessibility improvements, or making reporting more discoverable. Any such implementation undergoes careful human review, clear disclosure, and must genuinely serve the audience's needs, not just offer time-saving benefits to LAist.
LAist maintains fundamental commitments regarding the non-use of AI in specific areas. These include never publishing full AI-generated stories, replicating human voices, or misleading the audience with AI-created images that could be mistaken for original photography or news coverage. All AI-assisted work must also be reviewed by an LAist editor, and sensitive information will not be entered into public AI tools. These standards are subject to evolution as technology changes, but core principles of human-driven journalism and transparency will remain.
LAist adopts a cautious, hands-on approach to AI. Currently, AI is used for internal newsroom support, such as generating image alt text, assisting with editorial coaching, and streamlining research workflows, all subject to journalist review. It is also being piloted for AI-assisted translation of some reporting, with clear disclosure. Audience-facing tools that integrate AI are labeled and explained, while behind-the-scenes teams (product, marketing, fundraising, operations) utilize AI for internal communications, data analysis, and software development, all under strict standards for accuracy, privacy, and human oversight.
An internal AI working group at LAist is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving new AI tools and use cases. This group assesses accuracy and bias, continuously updates internal guidelines, and ensures adherence to the public principles outlined, reflecting LAist's commitment to responsible AI integration.
LAist's journalism, a product of significant human effort, is protected by copyright. The organization reserves the right to determine how third-party AI companies may use its content for model training, aligning these decisions with its mission and obligations to its journalists.
LAist acknowledges the evolving nature of AI in journalism and invites feedback from its audience and newsroom on these principles and their application. The organization is open to diverse perspectives and encourages communication regarding its AI practices, with the document last updated on April 24, 2026, and subject to regular revision.