Belmont Voice AI Policy
Our Approach to Artificial Intelligence
The Belmont Voice is a community newspaper powered by journalists and volunteers who care deeply about Belmont. We take seriously our responsibility to report fairly, accurately, and independently on issues that affect our community.
Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to support our work, much like other technological tools that have transformed journalism over time. We believe these tools can be used to serve our mission. They can complement – but certainly not replace – the judgment, expertise, and accountability of our journalists.
Our mission is:
To produce independent journalism that keeps the Belmont community connected, well-informed, and engaged with thorough, accurate, and fair coverage of topics affecting life in our town.
This mission depends on your trust. That trust is built on knowing that the reporting you read reflects the work of real people who are accountable to our community. AI will not change that relationship.
We are committed to being transparent about when and how we use AI in ways that meaningfully affect our journalism.
The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural.
How We May Use AI
Data analysis and research
We may use AI tools to help analyze large data sets, identify patterns, summarize public documents, or surface information that warrants further reporting.
AI-generated insights are always reviewed and verified by our journalists before publication.
Editing and production support
Our editors may use AI tools to:
- Generate preliminary headline ideas
- Identify grammatical errors, typos, style inconsistencies, missing information
- Support the editorial staff’s fact-checking
- Summarize notes or documents for internal use
- Generate graphics, which will be identified as created by AI
We do not use AI to write news articles. Human editors and reporters remain responsible for every word we publish.
Some of our advertisements may be generated by AI.
Meeting transcription and note-taking
We may use AI-powered transcription tools to assist with coverage of public meetings, interviews, or events.
Transcripts and summaries generated by AI will always be reviewed by a staff member to ensure that quotes and views are accurately represented.
How We Will Not Use AI
We will not use AI to:
- Report, write, or publish news stories without meaningful human involvement and editorial oversight
- Generate or alter photographs, audio, or video in ways that could mislead readers about what actually occurred
- Publish AI-generated content that has not been reviewed and approved by a human editor
- Replace the editorial judgment and accountability of our journalists
Looking Ahead
Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly, and our approach will continue to evolve as well.
We will regularly assess how these tools can best support our mission while protecting the values that matter most: accuracy, independence, transparency, and accountability.
If our practices change, we will update this policy accordingly.
Questions about this policy may be directed to our Editor-in-Chief.
Approved by the Belmont News Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors on September 30, 2026.