This page explains how BuzzLayer uses artificial intelligence and automation in our newsroom, and what that means for you as a reader. It is part of our commitment to transparency and trust, and we encourage you to read it alongside our Editorial Policy and Fact-Checking Policy for a full picture of how we work.
What does this policy mean for you?
Every article you read on BuzzLayer is written, reviewed and approved by a human journalist, editor or fact-checker. AI tools may assist behind the scenes, but they never replace the editorial judgement that gives our reporting its trustworthiness and accuracy. You can rely on our work as human-led, human-accountable journalism.
We believe readers deserve to know how technology shapes the journalism they consume. This policy sets out clear rules for our team and for any partner or contributor. It is regularly reviewed by our Editor-in-Chief, Alex Nguyen, and our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Priya Sharma. If you have questions, you can reach the editorial team at contact@buzzlayer.org.
How do we use AI and automation in our newsroom?
Digital tools can support our journalists with research, transcription, formatting, metadata, headline suggestions, summaries, and translation. These tools save time and help us focus on analysis, verification and context. But no piece of editorial content is published without a human editor’s final approval.
For example, a reporter might use a transcription tool to turn a recorded interview into text, then check every quote against the original recording. An editor might use a grammar- or style-checking tool to catch small errors, but the editor remains responsible for tone, nuance and accuracy. Our reporters and editors are trained to use these tools critically and to understand their limitations. We never allow AI to make editorial decisions, and we never publish content that has not been reviewed by a named human team member from our editorial team.
What is strictly prohibited?
AI must never fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience or expert profiles. It must not be used to generate entire articles without human oversight, and it cannot alter the meaning of a source’s words. Any tool that introduces factual errors, bias or unverified claims is unacceptable.
These prohibitions apply to all BuzzLayer staff, freelancers and partners. Our Fact-Checking Policy requires that every claim in every article is verified before publication. If an AI tool is used as part of that verification process, the human fact-checker still signs off. We maintain a log of AI tools in use and review their impact on our editorial standards quarterly. Any breach of these rules is treated seriously and may result in disciplinary action.
How this works in practice
Consider a recent BuzzLayer story about federal privacy legislation. The reporter, Laura Martinez, used an AI-powered research tool to quickly scan dozens of parliamentary transcripts for relevant committee discussions. She then read each highlighted passage herself, checked cross-references, and interviewed three experts. Her draft was reviewed by Managing Editor Maya Singh, who verified that all sources were properly attributed and that no AI-generated language had been left unedited. The final piece was fact-checked by Priya Sharma before publication. The result: a thorough, accurate story that readers could trust, with AI used only at the research stage and never as a substitute for human reporting.
Who oversees this policy?
Alex Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief, has ultimate responsibility for editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections. He works with Maya Singh (Managing Editor), Laura Martinez (Cybersecurity & Privacy Editor), David Kim (Consumer Tech Editor), Chris O’Brien (Startups & Innovation Correspondent) and Priya Sharma (Standards & Fact-Checking Lead) to ensure every piece of content meets our benchmarks. The full team is listed on our team page.
Any concerns about AI use in our content can be sent directly to the editorial line at +1 416 555 0220 or to editorial@buzzlayer.org. We take all such queries seriously and will respond with a clear explanation.
Ownership and accountability
BuzzLayer is an independent Canadian digital news publisher, owned and operated by Northern Beacon Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (Ontario Business Registry company number 1003194827). Our registered office is Unit 12, 95 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1G4, Canada. Our funding comes from display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, and content licensing, as detailed in our Ownership & Funding page. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions, and all sponsored or affiliate content is clearly labelled.
We are accountable to our readers first. If you believe this policy has not been followed, please let us know via our contact page or the complaints procedure outlined in our Complaints Procedure.
In short
AI and automation tools can help our journalists work more efficiently, but they never replace human judgement, accountability or oversight. Every piece of journalism published by BuzzLayer is created, reviewed and approved by named human editors and fact-checkers, and we are transparent about how we use technology in that process.