This page is an ethics statement about the use of artificial intelligence and related technologies (large language models, machine learning, automatic content generation) in the course of producing our projects and publications at Civic Spark Media.
As of March 2026, we do not use these tools and technologies for the composition, generation, editing or any other aspect of our work, except for the cases listed below:
- We use OpenAI’s “gpt-4” model to extract and identify key bits of data from obituaries in order to produce the “death notices” column in the Western Wayne News. The results are reviewed and edited by human reporters before inclusion in our publication.
- We use OpenAI’s “gpt-4o-mini” model to extract information about marriage licenses and divorces filed from PDF files made available by county officials. The results are reviewed and edited by human reporters before inclusion in our publication.
- We use OpenAI’s “gpt-4o-mini” model to help internally categorize messages coming in to the newspaper via email and voicemail.
- We use OpenAI’s “gpt-4.1” model to to process and enrich community events on our WayneCounty.events calendar site, including extracting event information from arbitrary content, choosing emoji and writing the initial drafts of the shortened/simplified Western Wayne News print edition of the calendar.
In general, we will not use these tools or technologies without fully disclosing their use and any potential errors or omissions alongside any content that is affected by their use. We will update this statement with any changes to our use of these technologies if and when that use changes. We remain committed to producing high quality, accurate information and content that relies primarily on the context, connections, expertise and writing skills of human beings.