AI Policy

Created 4 June 2026. Updated 27 August 2026

We aim to use zero generative AI

Environmental considerations

AI use is bad for the planet. The increase in the use of generative AI has led to an increase in data centres which guzzle water and electricity (considerably more than is needed for conventional online tools).

Minimizing AI use

So many tools now use generative AI, assistive AI, and/or AI search (e.g. Instagram) that it is difficult to completely avoid its use, but we aim to avoid using AI as much as possible.

We do not knowingly use generative AI in any form, and we require our authors not to use generative AI in writing their books or making graphics or diagrams for their books.

Search engines

We avoid search engines that use AI, or that have AI turned on by default on the results page.

Graphics

We create graphics using open-source, public domain imagery. We use public-domain photographs.

AI-generated graphics are created through plagiarizing art made by humans, so we do not use them (if we use one by accident, please call it out and we will replace it).

Text

We do not use AI to generate text content, nor to “improve” it. Our contract terms state that authors may not use AI. We recommend Harper: the only grammar-checker that does not use AI.

Authors

We would rather take authors’ word for it that they did not use generative AI, but in the event of someone trying to sneak it past us, we will require evidence that you did not use it.

This has already happened to other publishers, which is why we are stating this up front.

Evidence may include:

• Google Docs, Drime, or Word edit history (if you turn autosave on, it will keep an edit history);
• Early drafts of your work;
• Voice memos, notes, photos, character outlines;
• Sources you have used for research.

Your edit history is probably the most important piece of evidence.