AI Use Policy

Purpose and scope

This policy explains what I expect you to tell me about your use of artificial intelligence, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, and how that use affects my quote. It applies to every manuscript, chapter, article and other text submitted to me for assessment, developmental editing, copyediting or proofreading.

The policy also discusses my own use of artificial intelligence and my disclosure of any AI use in my editing work.

Disclosure is required

You must tell me, before I quote, whether any part of your work was generated, drafted, rewritten or substantially revised using an AI tool. Creative work has always been and should remain an activity engaged in solely by humans. As such, to maintain the trust between writers and readers disclosure of any AI use is essential. Our humanity depends on this!

Please tell me:

Which tools you used (for example, ChatGPT, Claude or Grammarly's generative features)
What you used them for – brainstorming, outlining, drafting text, rewriting passages, research or translation
How much of the text is AI-generated or AI-revised, as an approximate percentage or a list of affected chapters or sections
How much you have revised the AI generated material yourself.

Before quoting I will send you a checklist to assist you in this task.

You don't need to disclose standard spelling and grammar checkers that only flag errors, such as the built-in spellchecker in Word or Google Docs. If you're unsure whether a use counts, disclose it and we can discuss it. This allows me to quote for the job accurately and check for any problems that AI tools can introduce, such as fabricated sources, unacknowledged material from other writers, and content that raises privacy or data concerns.

Surcharge for LLM-generated work

I reserve the right to add a surcharge of up to 50% to my standard fee for any work that was wholly or partly created with an LLM. The surcharge reflects the extra time this work reliably takes, not a penalty.

AI-generated text typically needs additional attention because it can:

contain confident but false statements, invented quotes and fabricated references that must be fact-checked
repeat phrases, ideas and structures across chapters
drift in voice, tone and point of view between AI-written and author-written passages
come across as generic or flat, requiring more editorial work
raise questions about originality and copyright that need flagging.

The surcharge is applied at my discretion, based on how much of the text is AI-generated and how heavily it has been revised. Any surcharge will be stated clearly in your quote before you agree to proceed, in line with the Australian Consumer Law.

If AI use isn’t disclosed

If I find during editing that a manuscript contains substantial undisclosed AI-generated content, I will pause work and contact you. I don't rely on AI-detection software, which is unreliable. I base my view on the editorial signs above and will explain my reasons.

At that point I may:

revise the quote to include the surcharge for the remaining work
charge for the work completed to date at the revised rate
decline to continue the project, invoicing only for work already done.

No further work will proceed until we've agreed on next steps.

My own use of AI

I currently do not use LLMs to edit any material. I have used AI to do manual tasks, such as formatting references to conform to a specific style and to alphabetise glossary terms. I will never upload your manuscript to an LLM without your express, written permission.

Your work remains confidential and your intellectual property. As a member of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), I follow its Code of Ethics, which requires me to maintain client confidentiality. If I ever propose using an AI tool on your project, I'll tell you which tool, what for and how your text would be handled, and you can say no.

Your responsibility and changes to this policy

You remain responsible for the originality, accuracy and ownership of your work, including any AI-generated content. Editing does not guarantee that a text is free of plagiarism, factual errors or copyright issues, and many publishers, agents and competitions now have their own AI disclosure rules that you should check.

By engaging my services, you confirm that the disclosure you have given me is accurate and complete. AI tools and industry standards are changing quickly, so I may update this policy; the version in force when you accept my quote applies to your project. I also encourage you to inform yourself about your rights and responsibilities in relation to AI use.

Note: this AI use policy was created with the assistance of Claude.