Background:
Creating the included banner with AI was an interesting experience. I asked it to create a banner for my Buy Me A Coffee page. It did so with a placeholder “person” (perhaps she never existed; I didn’t ask), so I uploaded two photos of myself: I was wearing sunglasses in the photo with the outfit you see in the banner, and a second photo wearing the glasses you see above. AI combined elements of both photos to create the image used in the banner.
As a writer who values transparency, I wanted to clearly explain how I use AI, how AmberGreen.ca is funded, and the standards I intend to follow as the site grows. As professionals of all kinds, including legal, financial, and medical professionals, are using AI to save time, I asked it to help draft the following statement, which I reviewed, edited, and approved before publication.
Here’s the approved version of what it wrote:
I believe in being transparent about how I use artificial intelligence (AI) in my work.
I may use AI tools to assist with research, summarize lengthy documents, brainstorm ideas, generate images or graphics, improve workflows, and support marketing and administrative tasks.
However, all articles and opinion pieces published under my name are written, edited, and fact-checked by me. AI does not write or publish my journalism, analysis, or advocacy content.
I review source materials, verify information, and remain responsible for the accuracy, context, and opinions expressed in my work.
AI is a tool that helps me work more efficiently. It does not replace my judgment, experience, or editorial decision-making.
Financial Support & Disclosure
AmberGreen.ca may accept voluntary financial support from readers, including public officials, candidates, businesses, developers, consultants, advocacy organizations, and other interested parties.
To promote transparency and maintain reader trust, I may disclose financial support from individuals or organizations that are the subject of my reporting, analysis, or commentary.
As a general guideline, I intend to disclose cumulative contributions exceeding $100 from any public official, candidate, business, developer, consultant, advocacy organization, or other party with a direct interest in an issue I am covering.
AmberGreen.ca exists to promote civic engagement, help residents better understand local government, and encourage participation in municipal elections. As a non-partisan publication, financial support does not affect editorial decisions, coverage, analysis, or commentary.
Disclosure is intended to promote transparency and reader trust. It does not imply improper influence.
Contributions do not guarantee coverage of any issue, organization, elected official, candidate, business, developer, consultant, advocacy group, or government body.
Final Note
The goal of AmberGreen.ca is simple: to help people better understand the systems, decisions, and policies that affect their lives so they can engage more confidently in their communities.
— Amber Green