KCRW is committed to serving the public with the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and ethics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for our work. This policy sets out how we use AI responsibly. It will be reviewed regularly as technology evolves. 

Principles 

• Human Oversight: AI supports but never replaces human judgment, editorial oversight, or on-air presence. 

• Accuracy: All AI outputs must be fact-checked and verified by KCRW staff. 

• Transparency: We disclose the use of AI in content when appropriate. 

• Editorial Integrity: AI cannot compromise our independence, fairness, or ethics. 

• Accountability: KCRW is responsible for all AI-assisted work.

• Bias & Compliance: We monitor for bias and comply with all legal, copyright, and ethical standards. 

Permitted Uses 

AI may be used to: 

• Assist research and background analysis (with human verification). 

• Automate routine tasks (e.g., transcription, translation, editing). 

• Create accessible formats (e.g., transcripts, summaries). 

• Support personalization and content distribution. 

• Draft or brainstorm content under strict human supervision and review. 

Prohibited Uses 

AI may not be used to: 

• Fabricate, mislead, or impersonate. 

• Create deepfakes or manipulated media. 

• Make editorial decisions or replace core journalistic functions. 

• Infringe copyright or promote hate/discrimination. 

Protection of Confidential Information 

As a developing technology, it is not clear how AI Tools treat the specific information provided in user outputs. In this developing space, we will take a conservative approach and take every effort to protect KCRW’s Confidential Information. As a result, you may not put KCRW’s Confidential Information or other sensitive information into a public AI tool without express authorization by Chief Technology Officer. This policy applies to Confidential Information as defined in KCRW’s Employee Handbook, any information that may become public but is not yet public, sensitive information subject to continuing investigation, and information obtained from and/or relating to the identity of confidential sources. 

Subject to the other requirements of this policy, confidential or sensitive information as described in this policy may only be used in KCRW-approved AI tools.

Implementation 

• Content Creation: Human authorship, fact-checking, source verification, and editorial review are always required. 

• Review: This policy will be updated regularly with input from staff, Union, and NPR. 

• Enforcement: Violations will be subject to KCRW personnel policies and the collective bargaining agreement. 

• Attribution: Disclosure is required where AI is used to draft or to assist in drafting content.