For 23 years, ParentMap has been a trusted source for families in the Pacific Northwest. That trust is built on human expertise — our editors and writers, and the pediatricians, psychologists, educators and researchers we work with. No technology changes that, and no technology will.

This policy explains how we think about artificial intelligence (AI) in our work, and the lines we won’t cross. It applies to everyone who produces content for ParentMap, including staff, freelancers and contributors, and to every tool we use, whether public or licensed.

What we won’t do

We don’t publish AI-generated articles under a human byline. We won’t use AI to fabricate sources, quotes, expert commentary or personal stories. We don’t replace our writers, editors or expert contributors with AI tools.

What we may do

We may use AI to support — never replace — the work of our team. That can include brainstorming story angles, drafting headline options, proofreading, summarizing research our editors have already vetted, transcribing interviews, analyzing performance data and handling routine production tasks. Every piece of content we publish is written, edited or meaningfully shaped by a human who is accountable for its accuracy and tone.

Our standards for expert content

ParentEd Talks and our expert-driven reporting rely on named, credentialed professionals. AI does not interview our speakers, summarize their talks for publication or stand in for their voices. When we quote an expert, a human interviewed them.

Protecting what’s shared with us

Reader submissions, expert interview recordings and transcripts, unpublished reporting, confidential partner and sponsor information and personal information about anyone who isn’t a public figure are handled only with tools that meet our confidentiality standards. We treat what’s shared with us as ours to protect.

Disclosure

When AI plays a visible role in a piece of content — an illustration generated with AI assistance, or a tool we’ve built for readers, for example — we’ll say so clearly.

Accountability and review

Our team, including Kristen Russell, Head of Content and Brand Strategy; Carolyn Brendel, Head of Finance and Operations; and CEO Alayne Sulkin, is responsible for every decision about how AI is or isn’t used in our work. We’ll revisit this policy as the technology and our understanding of it evolve. Questions, concerns or corrections can be sent to editor@parentmap.com.

Last updated: July 1, 202