This policy explains how CRN Times may use artificial-intelligence and automation tools in editorial and operational workflows while maintaining human responsibility for published journalism.
Human Editorial Responsibility
Published journalism remains subject to human editorial responsibility. AI tools may assist a workflow, but they do not replace the obligation to verify material facts, evaluate sources, apply editorial judgment and correct errors.
Permitted Editorial Assistance
AI-assisted tools may be used for tasks such as:
- Organizing research or source material.
- Transcription and translation assistance.
- Generating internal summaries of source material for review.
- Headline, structure or formatting suggestions.
- Grammar, style and editing assistance.
- Data organization or repetitive production tasks.
Verification Requirements
AI-generated output should not be treated as a source of fact by itself. Material factual claims should be checked against reliable sources before publication.
Names, dates, quotations, statistics, legal allegations, medical claims, scientific claims and source attribution require particular care. CRN Times does not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, invented sources or unverified AI-generated claims as factual reporting.
Originality
AI tools must not be used as a justification for copying, lightly rewriting or mass-producing third-party material without meaningful editorial value. Published articles should provide original reporting, verification, context, analysis, synthesis, explanation or another substantial contribution for readers.
AI-Generated or Manipulated Images
AI-generated illustrations or materially manipulated visuals should be identified when readers could reasonably mistake them for documentary photography, authentic evidence or an unaltered depiction of a real event.
AI-generated imagery should not be used to falsely depict a real person as participating in an event that did not occur.
Sensitive Topics
Extra human review should be applied when AI tools assist content involving crime, elections, public safety, health, finance, legal allegations, children, death, war or other subjects where errors could cause significant harm.
Privacy and Confidential Material
Editors and contributors should avoid placing confidential source material, private credentials or unnecessary sensitive personal information into third-party AI systems when doing so could expose information or conflict with source-protection obligations.
Automation and Publication
Automation may support distribution, formatting or other routine tasks, but automated systems should not be used to bypass editorial review or conceal the origin of material. Desk bylines should not be used to disguise undisclosed automated production.
Corrections
Content produced with AI assistance is subject to the same correction standards as other CRN Times journalism. Readers can report factual concerns through our Corrections Policy.
Questions
Questions about this policy may be sent to info@crntimes.com with EDITORIAL in the subject line.
Related: Editorial Standards | About CRN Times
Last updated: August 19, 2026