New York Times Issues Stern Warning to Its Freelance Writers About AI Use

The New York Times reminded freelancers that all submitted text and visuals must be fully human-made and cannot be created or edited with generative AI.

The paper allows only limited AI use for brainstorming, while banning AI-assisted drafting, enhancement, or image generation in freelance work.

The warning follows several AI-related reporting mistakes and corrections, including an AI-generated quote that had to be fixed.

The Times said freelancers and staff journalists are held to different AI guidelines as newsrooms tighten rules to protect accuracy and trust.