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AI Transparency - How We Use AI

Moin! Let's Be Completely Honest About AI Usage

As someone who helps teams excel at AI-assisted development, I believe transparency about my own AI usage isn't just ethical—it's essential for credibility. If I'm teaching you to work with AI assistants effectively, you deserve to know exactly how I practice what I preach.

The short version: I use AI assistants extensively in my work, always with human oversight and approval. Here's exactly how, why, and with what safeguards.

Our AI Usage Framework

I categorize all content and work into four transparency levels, inspired by industry best practices:

  • Human Generated, Human Approved

    What this means: Original content written entirely by me, based on my 20+ years of experience, reviewed by me.

    Examples:

    • Personal stories and experiences from enterprise engineering
    • Strategic insights from leading teams at Otto, Breuninger, BLUME 2000
    • Original frameworks like Agentic Software Engineering
    • Speaking topics and abstracts based on real practice
    • Client consultation advice and recommendations

  • Co-Created with AI, Human Approved

    What this means: I provide the core ideas, experience, and structure. AI assists with articulation, clarity, and organization. I review, edit, and approve everything.

    Examples:

    • Website content (like this page!)
    • Blog posts and articles
    • Email communications to clients and prospects
    • Content outlines and educational materials
    • Workshop materials and presentations

  • AI Generated, Human Approved

    What this means: AI creates initial drafts based on my specifications and requirements. I review, validate, and approve for accuracy and alignment with our values.

    Examples:

    • Code examples and technical documentation
    • Research summaries and industry analysis
    • Meeting transcripts and summaries
    • Social media content variations
    • Administrative and operational content

  • AI Generated

    What this means: Automated processes with minimal human intervention, used only for low-risk, operational tasks.

    Examples:

    • Automated email responses and confirmations
    • Calendar scheduling and logistics
    • Basic data processing and formatting
    • Routine administrative tasks

Why I Use AI Assistants

Engineering Honesty: I'm an engineer who struggles with human communication. I can architect complex systems and lead teams, but crafting clear, engaging prose? That's where AI helps me bridge the gap between technical expertise and human connection.

Practice What I Preach: I teach teams to excel at AI-assisted development. Using AI extensively in my own work gives me firsthand experience with the challenges, limitations, and opportunities.

Efficiency Without Compromise: AI helps me focus on what I do best—solving complex engineering problems and mentoring teams—while ensuring my communication is clear and valuable.

Our Human Oversight Process

Every piece of content follows our quality assurance framework:

1. Strategic Direction (Always Human)

  • Core positioning and messaging decisions
  • Client strategy and consultation approaches
  • Framework development and methodological insights
  • Business decisions and ethical considerations

2. Content Creation (Human + AI)

  • I provide structure, key points, and experience-based insights
  • AI assists with articulation, organization, and clarity
  • I review for accuracy, voice consistency, and value alignment

3. Quality Validation (Always Human)

  • Technical accuracy verification
  • Brand voice and authenticity check
  • Value proposition alignment
  • Ethical considerations review

4. Final Approval (Always Human)

  • Content publishing decisions
  • Client communication approval
  • Strategic messaging validation
  • Public representation authorization

Specific AI Tools We Use

  • Primary AI Assistants

    Claude: Primary coding, writing and communication assistant

    Gemini: Research assistance and content variation

  • Context Engineering Tools

    Custom prompts and templates for consistent quality

    Knowledge bases with our frameworks and methodologies

    Quality checklists for human review processes

What We Don't Do

  • No Deceptive Practices

    Never claim AI-generated content as purely human-written

    Never use AI without appropriate human oversight

    Never let AI make strategic or ethical decisions

    Never compromise authenticity for efficiency

  • No Quality Shortcuts

    Every client interaction includes human review

    All strategic advice comes from real experience

    Technical recommendations are validated by human expertise

    Personal insights and stories remain authentically human

Questions About Our AI Usage?

Curious about something specific? I'm happy to discuss our AI practices in detail.

Considering similar transparency for your team? Let's talk about implementing ethical AI practices in your organization.

Want to improve your own AI-assisted development? This is exactly what we teach in our Agentic Engineering programs.

Ask Questions About Our AI Practices Learn About AI-Assisted Development Excellence

Our Commitment

Ongoing Transparency: This page will be updated as our AI practices evolve. Transparency isn't a one-time disclosure—it's an ongoing commitment to honesty and authenticity.

Industry Leadership: By sharing our AI practices openly, we hope to encourage more transparency across the industry. Engineers should lead by example.

Authentic Relationships: The goal isn't perfect communication—it's authentic connection. AI helps me communicate more clearly, but the insights, experience, and care behind the words are entirely human.

Apply These Practices

Next Steps

Ready to implement transparent AI practices in your organization? My experience helping teams navigate AI transparency commitments offers practical guidance for responsible AI adoption:

See AI Transparency in Action: Structured AI-Assisted Development - Experience the frameworks behind transparent AI practices

Apply Transparent Practices: Transform Your Team - Learn how to implement ethical AI workflows that maintain quality and authenticity

Speaking & Learning: Conference Talks - Discover how transparency principles enhance AI-assisted development presentations

Educational Foundation: Mentoring DNA - Understand how transparency builds trust in AI-assisted learning environments

Connect & Share: Join the Community - Exchange insights on ethical AI practices with fellow engineering leaders

AI is a tool that amplifies human capability. The magic isn't in the AI—it's in the human intelligence, experience, and judgment that guides it.