When to tell people you used AI
A simple test for disclosure — and why honesty here builds trust rather than spending it.
Updated 6 Jun 2026
There’s no universal rule that you must announce every use of AI — using it to tidy your own grammar isn’t a confession. But there’s a clear line where disclosure becomes the honest thing to do, and a simple test gets you most of the way.
The test
Would the person reading or relying on this feel misled to learn AI was involved? If yes, say so. If it changes how they should weigh the work, they have a right to know.
Cases where you should disclose
- Work presented as your own expertise — advice, analysis, or creative work people will judge as yours.
- Anything affecting a decision about someone — a reference, an assessment, a recommendation.
- Content that looks human by default — AI-written messages sent as if personally typed, or AI-generated images that could pass for real.
- When a policy or platform requires it — many now do.
How to do it lightly
Disclosure can be a single line: “Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by me.” That last clause matters — it signals a human stands behind it.
Quiet honesty about AI use costs you almost nothing and buys you trust. Being caught hiding it costs far more.