AI Policy
An Artificial Intelligence Policy for Creative Humans
v.1 | last updated April 2025
At Banner Day, we see AI as a human-powered tool with real potential and real limitations. As with any tool, when, how, and why we use it (and DON’T use it) matters.
Our AI policies reflect our values—Meaning, Verve, Heart—centering and celebrating human creativity and empathy while upholding our collective responsibility to do right by our clients, our collaborators, our communities, and ourselves. Our framework ensures we use AI, and all technology, in ways that serve our creative vision, strengthen our collaborative relationships, and deliver meaningful value to our clients.
Here's how we do it.
Approach
Serving people first.
First and foremost, we care about how our use of AI affects YOU—our clients, collaborators, and partners. All of our tools, processes, and policies are designed to bring more “aha!” and “whoo hoo!” to our work together.
Honoring our humanity.
AI can’t replace or substitute for human thinking, creating, and connecting. Our independent collaborators bring irreplaceable, individual ingenuity, strategy, empathy, and perspective to every project. Humans make. Algorithms help make it easier/faster/more interesting.
Grounding decisions in purpose.
Everything we do with AI starts with why. When we recommend an AI-supported approach, we'll show you what’s driving it and why we believe it's a wise way to go.
Staying transparent.
We communicate clearly about when and how AI tools support our process. No “secret weapons” or (unwanted) surprises. Have a question, suggestion, or concern about AI (or any tools we use)? Please share it with us.
Philosophy
Make it meaningful. Make it mindful. Make it measurable.
Meaningful.
AI implementation should advance strategic goals and enhance human creativity. Not just add tech (for tech’s sake!)
Mindful.
We thoughtfully consider AI’s ethical implications, including those concerning data privacy, bias prevention, proper attribution, and sustainability. We’re continually learning and improving, not afraid to pause and reassess, and always open to changing our approach for the better.
Measurable.
We regularly evaluate how AI tools affect our day-to-day operations, creative processes, client outcomes, and collaborator experiences—revising and refining based on real results, not just gut feelings.
Core Practices
Human-AI Collaboration
Human Creative Direction: All AI-generated content flows from human creative direction and is never used internally or shared externally without direct oversight by at least one qualified (human) collaborator.
Skills Amplification: We use AI in ways that allow our collaborators to focus their time, energy, and talents on higher-value creative work. (Think: Less effort spent gathering and organizing strategic inputs. More spent on turning them into breakthrough ideas.)
Attribution: “Give credit” is one of our Golden Rules. We set clear standards for properly and transparently attributing the work of human creators and the use of AI tools.
Ethical Use & Transparency
Client Disclosure: From the first hello to the final high-five, we communicate clearly about when, how, and why AI tools contribute to your project’s delivery and success.
Content Labeling: We carefully distinguish between human-created, AI-assisted, and AI-generated content at every stage. Labels matter. Look for these kinds of disclaimers on provided documents and content:
🦾AI-Assisted Content: AI-powered tools were used for researching/analyzing, drafting, organizing/formatting, revising, and/or brainstorming support, and the content required significant human expertise and editing to create. The majority of our AI use cases fall under this category. This AI Policy is an example of such content.
🤖AI-Generated Content: AI-powered tools produced this content based on existing information from a programmed knowledge base and/or provided resources, with minimal human input. Such content is always vetted by a qualified (human) collaborator before being put to use. A meeting transcript, summary, and to-do list for a recorded web call automatically generated by a platform’s AI agent (say in Zoom, Teams, or Calendly), is an example of such content.
No disclaimer? That content has been developed and vetted by human collaborators without the application of AI-powered content-creation tools.
Please keep in mind: Nearly ALL companies operating in the world today use widespread business- and internet-related technologies that have one or more AI-powered components (and have for many years). This includes everything from spelling/grammar and plagiarism checkers to internet browsers and social media feeds to inbox organization tools and beyond. We can’t guarantee that a technology, platform, or tool we use does not in some way incorporate AI. We can guarantee we’ll be transparent when we intentionally use AI to develop and deliver creative work.
Security & Data Privacy
We practice safe, secure use of AI-powered tools and prioritize the protection of client, collaborator, and company data following recommendations from The National Cybersecurity Alliance. This includes:
Using AI-powered tools that have been third-party verified for security and privacy compliance
Treating AI interactions with the same standards we apply to social media: If we wouldn't post about it publicly, we don’t input it into an AI tool.
Using generic and anonymized inputs to preserve confidentiality.
Protecting accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authorizations (MFAs)
Quality & Integrity
Always-Human Review Process: Every AI-generated output, just like every human-generated one, undergoes a comprehensive review by one or more qualified (human) collaborators before being put to use or shared with our clients.
Accounting for Bias: We carefully monitor and address potential biases in AI outputs, especially regarding the representation of diverse populations. This is a serious limitation of today’s AI tools—one we are committed to correcting on both the output side, by vetting all results, and the input side, by including diverse voices and perspectives in our interactions with generative AI.
Original Works: All content produced by our (human) collaborators on behalf of our company or our clients must respect applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. We recognize that AI technologies, by design, move waaaaaaaaaay faster than our legal systems. We’re also committed to working with legal counsel, including through our INVINCIBLE INC. partnership, to comply with regulations and to uphold our rights and responsibilities as creators to the best of our abilities as these technologies continue to evolve.
Practical Implementation
Selecting AI Tools
When we bring a new AI tool into our creative toolkit, we evaluate it against these criteria:
Does it align with our core values (Meaning. Verve. Heart.) and our Golden Rules (Take Care. Give Credit. Share Joy.)?
Is it transparent about how it was developed and trained, and does it take steps to reduce bias and prevent harm while serving users?
Is it transparent about its social and environmental impact, and committed to improving and maintaining sustainable practices?
Does it maintain strong data security and privacy protections?
Can it be customized to match our specific creative needs?
Does it enhance rather than diminish human creativity?
Creative Process Integration
Ideation: AI tools may be used to support brainstorming and creative problem-solving, but concept selection, refinement, and creative direction remain firmly, proudly, human-led.
Production: Today’s AI tools are particularly helpful in accelerating workflows and supporting iterations. We may use AI tools to optimize such processes across creative projects and in everyday operations, always with the direction and oversight of at least one qualified (human) collaborator.
Final Products: Final creative decisions, client presentations, and strategic recommendations are always human-led and directly reviewed and approved by the assigned creative director or project leader.
Collaborator Guidelines
All contractors and collaborators working with Banner Day have access to:
Documentation of our approved AI tools and best practices
Ethical guidelines for responsible AI implementation
Clear protocols for communicating concerns about AI outputs
Regular updates on policy changes
Specific Creative Applications
Writing & Copy: AI may assist in generating drafts, variations, or revisions. Human writers are responsible for creating strong prompts and customized inputs, iterating and refining, and applying our (gold) standards for verbal tone, accuracy, quality, and integrity to all messaging work.
Visual Design: AI may assist in generating sketches, variations, or edits. Human designers are responsible for creating strong prompts and customized inputs, iterating and refining, and applying our (gold) standards for visual tone, accuracy, quality, and integrity to all design work.
Strategy & Analysis: AI research, data, and analysis are vetted and interpreted by human strategists before it’s used to inform any creative considerations or recommendations.
Client & Collaborator Experience: AI may assist with scheduling, communication, or information sharing. It should never—and will never—replace our deep respect for and investment in building meaningful client and collaborator relationships with empathy and enthusiasm.
Oversight & Communication
As the naming and branding company created for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, our AI governance is overseen directly by Banner Day’s founder and creative director with input from key collaborators.
This includes:
Evaluating and approving new AI tools for studio use
Addressing ethical concerns about AI implementation
Updating this policy as technologies evolve
Answering AI implementation questions
Balancing our commitment to upholding company-wide AI standards and policies with our commitment to supporting the autonomy of our team of independent contractors
Maintaining and modeling open communication about AI and AI policies and providing opportunities for information-sharing, feedback, and conversation
In that spirit, if you have further questions about our AI Policy, please email us at hello@bannerday.co.🦾 AI-Assisted Content: Research, drafting, and revision support for this document was supported by Claude.ai in keeping with our AI Policy