Disclosing the Use of AI - Template for AI Usage Disclosure

Summary

Princeton University has created a straightforward template that solves a common problem: how to transparently communicate AI assistance in your work. Rather than leaving authors to craft their own disclosure language (which often leads to inconsistent or inadequate transparency), this template provides standardized wording that clearly indicates AI tool usage while confirming human oversight. It's designed to be easily adaptable across different types of documents and contexts.

What makes this different

Most AI disclosure approaches are either overly complex or frustratingly vague. Princeton's template strikes a practical middle ground by providing specific language that covers the essential elements without requiring extensive customization. The template explicitly addresses two critical points that many homegrown disclosures miss: acknowledging AI assistance and confirming human review and editing. This dual focus helps establish both transparency about process and accountability for final content.

Who this resource is for

• Academic researchers and faculty needing to disclose AI assistance in papers, proposals, or reports
• Students required to document AI tool usage in assignments or thesis work
• University administrators developing institutional AI disclosure policies
• Professional writers and consultants seeking standardized language for client communications
• Organizations looking for a simple, tested template to adapt for their own disclosure requirements

How to customize and deploy

The template serves as a foundation rather than a rigid script. Start with Princeton's core language and modify it to fit your specific context. For academic work, you might add details about which sections involved AI assistance. For business documents, you could specify which AI tools were used. The key is maintaining the template's clarity while adding relevant specifics.

Consider where the disclosure will appear in your document. Princeton's template works well in methodology sections, acknowledgments, or as a dedicated transparency statement. For ongoing projects, you might adapt it into a standard footer or header notation.

Watch out for

The template assumes human review occurred, so don't use it for AI-generated content that hasn't been thoroughly edited and verified. Also remember that disclosure requirements vary across journals, institutions, and professional contexts - Princeton's template may need adjustment to meet specific organizational standards.

The standardized language, while helpful, might not capture unique aspects of your AI usage. If you used AI in novel ways or made unusual editorial decisions, consider supplementing the template with additional context rather than relying solely on the standard wording.

Quick implementation checklist

• [ ] Review your institution's or publisher's specific AI disclosure requirements
• [ ] Adapt the template language to match your document type and audience
• [ ] Identify the most appropriate location for the disclosure within your document
• [ ] Ensure the disclosure accurately reflects your actual AI usage and review process
• [ ] Consider whether additional context about your AI workflow would benefit readers