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De Minimis AI Use for Authors and Writers

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a research assistant is permitted for authors of Proudly Human™ certified books. For example, you may use AI to search for facts, summarize ideas, analyze data, generate ideas, or suggest directions for further development.

AI must not be used for the generation of non-trivial content that is directly incorporated into the final work. All creative expression and authorship must remain the original contribution of the human creators.

Specifically, your use of AI must be limited to de minimis levels. That is, uses so minor or mechanical that they do not affect the copyrightable authorship of your work and, in practical terms, do not alter its human-created nature.

Acceptable De Minimis AI Use

For your guidance, examples of acceptable de minimis AI use typically include:

  • Checking spelling and grammar

  • Critiquing ideas or high-level story concepts

  • Formatting assistance such as creating a table of contents or index, formatting the bibliography, or applying styles

  • Technical tasks such as sharpening an image, colour correction, noise reduction, or blurring faces in video

Unacceptable AI Use (Beyond De Minimis)

By contrast, unacceptable AI use beyond de minimis would include:

  • Using AI to draft portions of text (e.g., a paragraph)

  • Editing AI-generated text

  • AI-generated design elements or creative content that meaningfully contributes to the final work

  • AI-generated material that would be copyrightable if created by a human

  • AI-generated visual art, illustrations, special effects, or imagery

  • AI-generated musical compositions, arrangements, or lyrics