At Sachstruktur, artificial intelligence and automation are tools that support our journalists, not replacements for their skill, judgment or accountability. Our AI & Automation Policy, set by Chefredaktör Florian Schmid and the Sachstruktur Media Ltd. board, governs every use of these technologies so that readers always know a human has shaped, checked and approved what they read. This page explains how we use AI, what we never allow it to do, and who you can contact if you have questions.
How do we use AI and automation in our work?
We employ AI-assisted tools in limited, clearly defined roles that support human journalists without supplanting them. These tools may help with research, such as scanning large datasets or summarising public documents; assist with editing tasks like suggesting headline variations, formatting text, or checking grammar and style; and aid translation of source material or metadata generation. Automation also handles routine tasks such as newsletter scheduling and basic transcription of recorded interviews or hearings. Every tool is evaluated by our editorial team before adoption, and its output is always treated as a draft requiring human review.
Who guarantees that every piece is human‑reviewed?
Chefredaktör Florian Schmid and Redaktionschef Franziska Jung are ultimately responsible for ensuring that no AI‑generated content appears in published articles without explicit human editorial approval. Every article on Sachstruktur is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by an editor, and fact‑checked before publication. If AI tools were used during the drafting or research phase, that fact is noted in our internal workflow but never used to lower editorial standards. The final decision to publish rests solely with a human editor who has read and approved the complete piece.
What are the absolute prohibitions on AI use?
AI must never fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience, or expert profiles. No automated system may write or rewrite an article without human oversight. AI cannot be used to generate misleading imagery, audio, or video that presents itself as authentic reporting. Sponsored content, affiliate links, and commercial material must also be created or approved by a human; AI may assist with formatting but never with the persuasive or editorial message. These prohibitions are enforced by our fact‑checking lead Jessica Fischer and her team through regular audits and spot checks of published content.
What you can expect from us
When you read an article on Sachstruktur, you can trust that a human journalist has reported, written, and edited it. If we have used an AI tool to assist with research or transcription, that has no bearing on the accuracy or independence of the final piece. Our editorial mission—trustworthy Swedish journalism that helps readers understand complex issues without spin or oversimplification—remains the guide for every decision. All commercial and sponsored content is clearly labelled, and affiliate links are disclosed; AI never influences these labels or disclosures. We update this policy as technology changes and will always inform readers of substantive revisions through a notice on our site.
How does this policy relate to our other editorial standards?
Our AI & Automation Policy works in concert with our broader editorial policies. For a full explanation of how we select and verify sources, see our Sources & Standards page. Our Editorial Policy details the independence and corrections procedures that apply to all content. The Fact‑Checking Policy describes how Jessica Fischer’s team verifies claims. For information about our ownership and funding, see Ownership & Funding. Each policy reinforces the same principle: human responsibility at every stage.
Questions or concerns?
If you believe we have used AI in a way that violates this policy—or if you simply want to ask about a specific tool or practice—please contact our editorial team. Write to editorial@sachstruktur.de and mark your message “AI Policy.” You can also reach Chefredaktör Florian Schmid directly at anders.lindqvist@sachstruktur.de or by phone on +46 8 525 030 61. For formal complaints, please refer to our Complaints Procedure. We take every query seriously and will respond as quickly as we can.