While some newsrooms proudly declare their content is untouched by artificial intelligence (AI), we at TechNation.News embrace it. Behold! Our AI policy.
As of April 2025, to our knowledge, TechNation.News is the first South African publication to adopt a transparent, pro-AI policy. Publicly.
We recognise that AI is not a replacement for human creativity and judgment but a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, enhances journalism.
Yes, AI can get it wrong. So can humans. Especially ones who think they’re above using tools they don’t understand.
AI ≠ just ChatGPT
We’re willing to bet most editors haven’t thought further than ChatGPT. If that’s your whole AI strategy, we need to talk.
If you’re only using a single chatbot to check typos or suggest headlines, do you know what that says about your strategy? You’re using a lightsaber as a letter opener. Yep. And that’s how people lose fingers.
We’re not saying you’ll be replaced by AI. But you’ll probably get replaced by someone who knows how to use AI better than you. Miss the point now and miss the next decade of relevance, too.
That’s what sets us apart.
In the evolution of journalism, TechNation.News won’t be in the footnotes.
We’re going for the headlines, baby.
TechNation’s AI policy will evolve
Change happens. Cope. Or don’t. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
TechNation.News commits to evolving our AI policy as technology and ethical standards shift and debates mature. Do understand this will be an ongoing, never-ending process.
Things will change. They’re meant to change. Heck, they might even break. And that’s okay because this is a living system. Mora Media/TechNation News is being built in public. Flaws, fixes, fumbles and all.
We won’t always get it right, but we’ll own it, talk about it, and make sure others can learn from it too. That’s the point. Not to hoard knowledge but to share the blueprint. To empower.
If that makes you uncomfortable, then consider it a feature and not a bug.
TL;DR: Treat this as a living document, not a museum piece.
We aren’t robots. We checked.
The humans who work behind the scenes are at the heart of our storytelling, our voice. Our identity. One we’re damn proud of too, thank you very much.
That said, one of the people leading this charge is into biohacking and planning to get an NFC implant purely so she can say she’s part cyborg. Make of that what you will…
We’ve been told generative AI threatens editorial integrity. You know what else threatens editorial integrity? Editors who refuse to adapt.
By merging AI and tech with our human-driven workflow and unhinged curiosities, we can analyse data more efficiently, uncover insights faster, and deliver relevant content to our readers.
(Anyway. This is the boring, sanitised version of our plans. We might come up with something unreasonably brilliant later.)
1. AI policy introduction
TechNation.News embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance journalistic efficiency, innovation, and audience engagement while maintaining ethical integrity and editorial independence.
We adhere to the South African Press Code and will ensure our use of AI upholds the principles of ethical journalism.
This policy establishes guidelines for AI use in content creation, moderation, fact-checking, and business operations.
2. AI in journalism: Principles
TechNation.News adheres to the following principles when using AI in journalism:
- Transparency: Disclose through bylines, tags and disclaimers when AI is used in content production, decision-making, or audience interactions. This includes transparency about our AI stack.
- Editorial oversight: AI-generated content will be reviewed by human editors before publication.
- Accuracy and accountability: AI tools will undergo regular checks to ensure factual correctness, minimise bias, and prevent misinformation.
- Ethical AI use: AI will align with journalistic ethics to avoid manipulation, sensationalism, or harm.
- Audience trust and engagement: AI should enhance, not replace, the human connection between journalists and readers.
3. AI applications in TechNation.News
3.1 AI-assisted journalism
- Automated content creation: AI may assist in summarisation, data-driven reporting, or automated news updates. All content is verified by a human.
- Investigative support: AI tools can be used to analyse large datasets or support pattern recognition in research.
- Archival research: AI assists in surfacing relevant historical content for context or storytelling.
3.2 AI for audience and business optimisation
- Personalisation: AI may recommend articles or curate newsletters based on user behaviour.
- Engagement and retention: TechNation.News may use AI to identify reader habits and optimise subscription journeys.
- Comment moderation: AI-assisted moderation tools help filter spam and toxicity.
3.3 AI for verification
At TechNation.News, we leverage AI tools to assist in identifying manipulated media, comparing claims, and cross-referencing information.
Misinformation spreads fast, which is exactly why we pair human judgment with AI, not against it. Because let’s be honest: humans get it wrong too. Often. Loudly.
You think human error is safer than machine error? We don’t call that integrity. We call it hubris. AI can catch what your copy desk missed at 3am.
Also… If your integrity crumbles because of a tool, maybe it wasn’t that solid to begin with. Just saying.
Read more about the fact-checking tools we use in our Tech and AI Stack.
4. Disclosure and transparency
- AI-generated or AI-assisted content may be identified in some or all of the following ways:
- Published under a dedicated tag (TechNation Insights Engine).
- Attributed to our digital contributor, Kayde Durden, with a bio that indicates her synthetic nature.
- Labelled at the article footer (“Compiled by the TechNation Stack” or variations thereof).
5. Ethical considerations and bias mitigation
- Datasets and tools are reviewed by TechNation’s founders to avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or misinformation.
- New team members will be trained to critically assess AI output and intervene when needed.
- This training will form part of Mora Media’s upcoming training programmes aimed at closing the digital skills gap in South Africa, with Tech Nation team members receiving exclusive, hands-on learning and early access to all AI-focused modules.
6. Human oversight
- Editors remain responsible for every published piece, regardless of AI involvement.
- AI will not be used to automatically publish entire articles as-is without human intervention, research, overview, or editorial shaping of some sort.
7. Governance and evaluation
- AI tools are reviewed regularly for effectiveness, risk, and bias.
- New tools are continually tested.
- TechNation.News commits to evolving its policy as AI capabilities and ethical concerns develop. Do understand this is an ongoing process.
8. Collaboration
- TechNation.News actively explores partnerships with research institutions, AI developers, and fellow media innovators to shape the future of AI in journalism.
- Reach out to cheryl@technation.news or daniel@technation.news to collaborate.
9. Press Code
To ensure our AI integration upholds the South African Press Code, we commit to:
- Accuracy and fairness: All AI-assisted content undergoes human review to verify factual accuracy and fairness.
- Transparency: We disclose AI involvement in content creation, ensuring readers are informed about the use of AI tools.
- Accountability: Human editors remain responsible for all published content, regardless of AI assistance.
- Respect for privacy: AI tools are used in compliance with privacy laws, ensuring personal information is protected.
- Avoidance of harm: We assess AI-generated content for potential harm, avoiding content that could mislead or cause unnecessary distress.
- Correction of errors: Any errors in AI-assisted content are promptly corrected, maintaining our commitment to truth and accountability.
- Continuous evaluation: Our AI tools and policies are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with ethical standards and the Press Code.
10. Final note about the TechNation News AI policy
We didn’t make this up in a vacuum.
This policy was shaped by global conversations around AI in journalism. It was informed by resources from leading media ethics organisations. Most notably by Reuters Institute, Poynter and JournalismAI.
While our stance is entirely our own (and unapologetically so), we’re grateful for the frameworks and questions that helped shape it.
Our AI policy will be publicly shared in our “How We Use AI” section (it’s a work in progress, launching soon), alongside details about our AI stack, training protocols, and editorial guidelines.
Questions can be directed to daniel@technation.news.
This policy was last updated on 27 April 2025. It will change again. And again.