This policy governs how Hauptfokus (hauptfokus.de), operated by Alpen Press Ltd. (company number 132587, registered in Gibraltar, Office 3.7, ICC, Casemates Square, Gibraltar GX11 1AA), uses artificial intelligence and automation in its journalism. The policy is overseen by Chefredaktör Michael Jung and applies to all editorial staff. It explains what tools may support our work, what is strictly forbidden, and how we guarantee that every piece of content retains human editorial control.
Who is responsible for our use of AI and automation?
Michael Jung, as Chefredaktör, together with Alpen Press Ltd., is ultimately accountable for this policy and its enforcement. Jessica Schuster, Redaktionschef, oversees daily newsroom compliance, while Melanie Hartmann, Ansvarig för faktagranskning, ensures that all AI‑assisted content meets our fact‑checking standards. Any deviation must be reported to the editorial team at contact@hauptfokus.de.
How may AI tools support our work?
AI‑assisted tools may be used for research, editing, formatting, translation, metadata generation, headline options, summaries and transcription. These tools help our reporters and editors work more efficiently, but they never replace human judgement. For example, a reporter may use a transcription tool to convert an interview recording into text, or an editor may use a grammar‑checking application to catch errors. All such tools are approved by the newsroom and are subject to regular review.
What is the human guarantee for every piece of content?
Every article published on Hauptfokus is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by an editor and fact‑checked before publication. If AI has been used to generate a draft or part of a draft, that draft must be substantially rewritten and approved by a human editor. No content is published without a human being taking full editorial responsibility. This guarantee applies to all text, images, video and audio we produce.
What is strictly prohibited when using AI?
Artificial intelligence must never fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience or expert profiles. It may not generate content that misrepresents a person’s views or invents data. AI cannot be used to create or modify images in a way that distorts reality — for example, generating fake photographs or altering the context of a real picture. Any violation of these prohibitions is grounds for immediate disciplinary action and, where appropriate, a formal correction.
How do we ensure transparency about AI use?
We believe readers deserve to know how we work. This policy is part of a broader set of editorial standards that include our Editorial Policy, Fact‑Checking Policy, Ownership & Funding and Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure. Sponsored or commercial content is clearly labelled, and affiliate links are always disclosed. We do not use AI to generate sponsored material without explicit human review. If we ever introduce a new AI‑driven feature — such as automated summaries or translation — we will update this policy and inform readers.
Our commitments
- Human editorial control is always final for every piece of content we publish.
- No AI tool may fabricate or invent quotes, sources, interviews or any factual information.
- We will clearly disclose our use of AI and automation in this policy and update it whenever practices change.
- Every article is fact‑checked and sourced according to our Fact‑Checking Policy, regardless of whether AI tools were used in its preparation.
- Commercial relationships — including advertising, sponsorships and affiliate links — never determine editorial conclusions or the use of AI in our newsroom.