Interactive scenarios: AI disclosure examples

Large text "AI DISCLOSURES" in gray letters against a blue background with a repeating pattern of lighter text.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

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The five scenarios below are meant to illustrate and explore the “materiality” and “proportionality” aspects of AI disclosure, drawing parallels with alt text decisions. Each scenario presents a common situation journalists might encounter, allowing them to consider how they’d approach it before revealing a suggested rationale based on the framework.

The scenarios cover decorative elements, conceptual illustrations, data visualizations, photo editing, and text generation.

Interactive Scenarios: Alt Text and AI Disclosure

Scenario 1: AI-generated decorative background pattern

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An AI tool was used to generate a subtle, abstract wave pattern that is used as a background for the header of your news website's arts section. It's visually pleasant but doesn't convey any specific information.

Scenario 2: AI-generated conceptual illustration for an opinion piece

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For an opinion piece about the future of urban transportation, your team uses an AI image generator to create a unique, conceptual illustration showing futuristic vehicles in a stylized cityscape. This image is the main visual for the article.

Scenario 3: AI-generated data visualization (chart)

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You use an AI-powered tool to quickly generate a bar chart from a dataset for an article on local unemployment rates. The AI tool helps select the chart type and visual encoding. The data itself is from an official source.

Scenario 4: AI-assisted minor photo enhancements

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A staff photographer submits a news photo. An AI-powered feature in your photo editing software is used to automatically adjust brightness, contrast, and apply a subtle background blur to make the subject stand out. The core subject and elements of the photo are not altered, added, or removed.

Scenario 5: AI-generated short transitional text

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While writing a long investigative piece, a journalist uses an AI writing assistant to generate a few options for a two-sentence transition between sections. The journalist picks one, lightly edits it for style, and incorporates it. The transition doesn't introduce new facts or arguments but smooths the flow.