We sometimes use AI tools to speed up production but every story is verified and finalized by a journalist.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - You may have seen other outlets disclosing when artificial intelligence is used in their reporting. At Organ Mountain News, we think it is important to explain how we use these tools and where we draw the line.

We do use AI behind the scenes. It helps with formatting, creating accessible text for images (particularly for the visually impaired), preparing schema (which helps with search engine optimization) and speeding up production tasks. Sometimes we will also use it to brainstorm headlines, but the final headline is always chosen and refined by a human editor. These tools can be useful in the same way a calculator or spell-checker can be useful.

We may also use AI tools to help draft public records requests under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). This is especially useful when requests require precise statutory language or cover multiple agencies. Automating the first draft saves time and reduces errors, but every request is customized and finalized by a journalist. Faster, clearer records requests not only strengthen OMN’s reporting but also serve the public interest by improving access to government documents.

But AI is not a reporter. It does not gather facts, conduct interviews or make editorial decisions. Whether it is original reporting or a rewrite of a public news release, every story at OMN is shaped and finalized by people who live and work in southern New Mexico.

We sometimes also use AI-generated photos when there is no available image to illustrate a story. We do this because paying for traditional stock photos is expensive and many public-domain options are limited or irrelevant. When we use an AI-generated image, it is clearly illustrative, not documentary, and never meant to mislead. Our preference is always to use real, local photography when possible.

Our standard is simple: human eyes last. Before anything publishes, it goes through a journalist who checks for accuracy, clarity and fairness.

We also believe in transparency. That is why we are telling you exactly how these tools fit into our work. Trust is built not by pretending AI does not exist but by showing readers where we feel it belongs and where it does not.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.