Disclaimer: AI, Integrity, and Our Commitment to Readers

 by roving reporter Shaun Lawton 

(written with AI support under reporter’s direction)

    At The Oscillating Oculus, journalistic integrity and transparency are our highest priorities. Every article, story, or creative piece we publish reflects our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and thoughtful analysis. Our work is guided first and foremost by human authors — reporters, contributors, and editors — who conceive the ideas, frame the arguments, and provide the interpretation that gives each piece its voice.   

   AI tools, including large language models, are used strictly as assistants. They may help gather facts, provide background research, generate preliminary drafts, or refine phrasing. AI is never the decision-maker, the ethical judge, or the primary author. Every piece remains under the direct guidance of its human author, and all final editorial judgment, interpretation, and personal viewpoint remain the responsibility of the human author and the editor-in-chief, who ensures that our standards of accuracy, clarity, and integrity are met.

   To maintain transparency with our readers, every article that uses AI in any capacity includes a parenthetical byline disclosure. If an article was drafted or refined with AI support, the parenthetical specifies the nature of that assistance. Articles written entirely by a human author may include a parenthetical stating zero AI involvement, or none at all, depending on context. This system allows readers to immediately know the degree to which AI contributed to each piece, without interrupting the flow of the article itself.

   We recognize that some readers are skeptical of AI’s use in writing. This is entirely understandable. Our goal is not to obscure or excuse AI’s presence, but to demonstrate how it can be used responsibly: as a tool that enhances research, efficiency, and clarity while preserving, rather than compromising, the author’s judgment, voice, and creative intent.

   For those who wish to examine our process more closely, we maintain a source accreditation repository, where selected transcripts of AI-assisted collaboration are available. This allows readers to see exactly how AI was employed in research, drafting, and editing, reinforcing our commitment to full disclosure.

   In short, The Oscillating Oculus strives to set an example. AI is a tool, not a replacement. Human authors remain the drivers of ideas, the arbiters of judgment, and the bearers of accountability. Our parenthetical bylines, editorial oversight, and source transparency collectively ensure that every piece you read reflects both ethical journalistic practice and the integrity of human insight.

   We publish with honesty, curiosity, and care — always mindful that our readers deserve to know who is shaping the words on the page, and exactly how. Our mission is to provide thoughtful, informed, and sometimes provocative perspectives on the world, while upholding the highest standards of disclosure and accountability.

    

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