» Your written guide, highlight reel, and replay from our monthly Substack workshop.
We’re all conflicted about AI, whether it’s because of the environmental concerns (which Katie talked about), what it means for authors and writing generally, what it means about us as people if we use it in our Substacks, etc.
For those who attended live and have shame about using AI at all, it was a mini-therapy session.
I highly, highly, highly recommend using this post to think about or write your AI policy.
Platforms are already responding to the rising backlash against AI and ethical issues surrounding it.
Even X (of all places) is demonetizing some accounts that use certain AI-generated content.
Below you’ll find:
A simple prompt to get you going ↓
The written guide to everything we covered ↓
The full replay ↓
My AI policy, examples, and the AI tools I use ↓
Above is the highlight reel. ↑
Simple questions to ask to write your AI policy:
What do you use it for? Why?
What won’t you use it for? Why?
How are you using AI right now that makes you feel uneasy/like an imposter/ashamed, etc.? Why?
When does using AI not feel right? Why?
Which content (writing, video, etc.) do you use AI for?
Who checks what gets published and how AI is used on your Substack?
Where your AI policy can appear
A long version can live on your:
About page
Hero post
Separate page that doesn’t live in your archive (here’s how to create a page—this is part of your paid-subscriber Substack Strategy Handbook, A-Z) and is linked in your posts
You might include short versions on individual posts.
Examples:
It can be visual—like Beth Spencer’s wonderful badge from Introvert Drawing Club—she’s kindly made versions of these available for you here:
Or more of a personal statement with links to any posts you’ve written about AI or tech. Here’s Rosana Francescato’s AI policy on her About page for Flower Child:
Or highly professional like Katie’s impeccable Ethics and Transparency Disclosure on Anchor Change with Katie Harbath (this is an older version):
And Emma Brooks’s on Chatterbox:
Can you use AI to write your AI policy?
I suppose, but you’d need to disclose that :)
Below is an AI-generated overview edited by Mary and me, plus timestamps (AI-generated, not edited at all), and Katie’s workbook (generated by Katie—also see her AI policy).
Overview
Disclose AI Use to Build Trust: Transparency is key to maintaining reader trust. A clear, specific disclosure explains how AI is used (e.g., for outlines, not final drafts) and confirms the writer retains full editorial control.
Use AI as a Co-Pilot, Not an Author: AI is a powerful tool for productivity (outlines, summaries, editing), but the writer must remain the creative driver. Always verify facts to prevent “hallucinations” and ensure the final output reflects your unique voice.
Create a Formal AI Policy: Develop a personal policy by mapping your current AI workflow, defining your “red lines” (e.g., no AI for first drafts), and deciding where to publish the disclosure (e.g., a dedicated Substack page).
Choose the Right AI for the Job: Different models have different strengths. Claude excels at writing, ChatGPT is better for general brainstorming, and Gemini is ideal for business stuff.
The Challenge: Balancing AI Use with Reader Trust
The Core Conflict: Writers face a dilemma: leverage AI for productivity while overcoming personal anxieties (e.g., feeling like an imposter, fear of losing their voice) and reader skepticism.
The Solution → Transparency: A clear disclosure builds trust by showing respect for readers and proactively addressing potential questions.
The Rationale: Katie Harbath’s experience shows transparency can attract readers interested in learning about AI, even if some disagree with the specific methods.
The Framework: A Self-Audit to Build Your Policy
1. Map Your Current AI Use: Identify every point where AI is used in your workflow, from research to editing.
2. Define Your “Why”: Understand your motivations (e.g., time-saving, overcoming writer’s block) to articulate your policy’s purpose.
3. Set Your “Red Lines”: Establish clear boundaries for what AI will not do (e.g., write final drafts, make life decisions).
4. Explore Your Hesitations: Analyze any gut feelings of doubt or discomfort to refine your personal rules.
5. Maintain Accountability: The writer is the final authority. Verify all facts and ensure every sentence reflects your judgment.
Implementation: Practical AI Workflows & Disclosure Tactics
AI for Productivity (Katie’s Workflow):
Ideation: Transcribe voice memos into text, then use Claude to organize notes into an outline and ask clarifying questions.
Editing: Request “line edits” to review suggestions individually, and add AI-generated clichés (e.g., “uncomfortable truth”) to a “do not use” list in a custom style guide.
Repurposing: Generate social media posts and subject lines from finished articles.
AI for Productivity (Sarah’s Workflow):
Transcription & Summarization: Use AI for video transcripts and meeting summaries (e.g., NotebookLM).
SEO: Generate SEO descriptions and URLs for Substack posts.
Business Docs: Use AI for formal documents like Terms & Conditions.
Disclosure Tactics:
Location: A dedicated “Disclosure” page in the Substack navigation is the standard. For heavy AI use, a short note at the top or bottom of a specific post can be added.
Content: Be specific about how AI is used, confirm editorial control, and keep it concise to avoid “label fatigue.” Timestamp the page to show it’s a living document.
Resource: Katie Harbath’s AI Policy Workbook:
Katie’s Substack:
Share or like this post if my guidance is valuable to you.
You’re here. You’re doing this. Substack is exactly where you need to be.
All my best,
Sarah
P.S. Substack Essentials Workshops for paid subscribers and Premier Members are the first Saturday of the month, 11 AM - 12 PM CT throughout 2026. The Zoom link will be sent the Tuesday before. The replay and highlight reel will be sent within 36 hours.
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VIEW FULL RECORDING OF THE WORKSHOP HERE - 65 mins (No highlights)
Highlight reel timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Goals
01:17 Why Transparency Matters
01:33 Red Lines and Brainstorming
03:02 Outlines Style Guides Repurposing
05:02 Editing Without Losing Voice
06:26 Trust and Core Anxieties
08:39 AI Use Cases in Workflow
12:55 Disclosure Best Practices
15:00 Build Your Own Policy
19:24 You Decide Not AI
20:56 Gray Areas and Wrap Up
Full replay timestamps:
00:00 Why AI Transparency Matters
01:08 Meet Katie and Workshop Setup
03:11 Katie’s Approach and Disclosure
06:55 AI Writing Workflow Examples
11:05 Trust, Voice, and Judgment
13:18 AI Use Cases and Boundaries
17:34 Disclosure Best Practices
19:17 Live Q&A on Tools and Ethics
33:43 Self Audit for Your AI Policy
35:10 Define Your AI Boundaries
36:16 Shame and Disclosure Fears
37:13 Trust Through Transparency
38:59 Gut Checks and Content Types
39:55 Stay Accountable in the Driver Seat
42:42 Disclosure Policy Gray Areas
44:52 Q&A Grammarly and AI Tools
46:55 What Is AI and LLMs
48:27 Workbook Access and Writing Exercise
48:48 Live Brainstorming AI Uses
51:07 Grammarly Demo and Voice Risks
55:10 Imposter Feelings and Personal Lines
56:59 Hallucinations and AI Skepticism
59:29 Substack AI Features and SEO
01:01:51 Where to Publish Your AI Policy
01:03:34 Badges and Final Wrap Up
