Our Approach to AI

Artificial intelligence is changing publishing, media, and communication rapidly. At DartFrog, we believe
the conversation around AI is often framed too simply — either as something to embrace without
question or reject entirely.

We do not believe either extreme reflects the reality of publishing.

Our position is straightforward:

• Some uses of AI are helpful and appropriate.
• Some uses fundamentally conflict with the human work at the center of authorship and editorial
  collaboration.

We believe those distinctions matter.

Where We Use AI

DartFrog may use AI-assisted tools in operational, administrative, or media-related contexts where the technology helps us communicate more efficiently, organize information, or scale educational content.

Examples may include:

• internal workflow assistance
• media production support
• educational or informational video presentation
• scheduling and organizational systems
• research assistance
• marketing support tools
• automation of repetitive administrative tasks

DartFrog may also use AI-assisted tools in promotional, educational, or satirical media projects where the work is clearly conceptual, marketing-oriented, or artistically interpretive rather than editorial in nature.

These uses are intended to improve efficiency and communication, not replace human literary judgment.

We believe technology can be useful without replacing the human core of publishing.

Where We Do Not Use AI

At DartFrog, editorial and literary decision-making remains human.

We do not use AI to:

• edit manuscripts in place of human editors
• perform developmental editing
• replace literary analysis or story evaluation
• substitute for human creative judgment
• generate editorial feedback presented as human expertise
• replace the relationship between author and editor

Publishing is not simply the production of text. It is interpretation, emotional understanding, aesthetic judgment, and human collaboration.

We believe meaningful editorial work requires people.

Human Editing Matters

A manuscript is more than information arranged into sentences.

Editors are not simply correcting grammar or reorganizing words. They are:

• interpreting voice
• understanding emotional intention
• recognizing nuance
• identifying narrative weakness
• protecting authenticity
• helping authors communicate more clearly and powerfully

Those decisions require human discernment.

For that reason, DartFrog’s editorial process remains human-led.

Cover Design and AI

DartFrog’s cover design process is human-led.

Our covers are concepted, designed, and developed by human designers. We do not use AI to generate finished cover designs as a standard part of our publishing process.

In limited cases, an author may specifically request a visual concept or artistic effect that is not realistically achievable through traditional illustration, photography, or design methods alone. In those situations:

• the potential use of AI-assisted imagery is discussed with the author in advance
• the author’s approval is required before proceeding
• the use of AI-generated elements is disclosed when the book is published

These situations are exceptions, not the norm.

Our position is that cover design is ultimately an artistic and interpretive process that depends on human creative direction, aesthetic judgment, and collaboration between author and designer.

AI and Authorship

The rise of generative AI has also changed how questions of authorship and provenance are understood.

For most of publishing history, authorship operated largely on trust. Increasingly, the ability to generate convincing text at scale makes provenance and documentation more important.

This is one of the reasons we developed True OriginTM — not to be a tool for policing creativity, but a framework for documenting authorship and creative development over time.

We believe the future of publishing will increasingly depend on transparency, provenance, and clarity around creative process.

Author Authorship Standards

DartFrog recognizes that many writers now use AI-assisted tools in limited ways during the creative process. We do not believe the responsible use of technology automatically conflicts with authorship.

However, we do believe there is a meaningful distinction between AI-assisted support and AI-generated authorship.

Writers may use AI-assisted tools for functions such as brainstorming, outlining, research assistance, organizational support, or limited editorial experimentation. What matters is that the manuscript itself reflects substantial human creative development, judgment, revision, and editorial contribution.

DartFrog is not interested in policing creativity through unreliable detection systems. Instead, we believe authorship is best demonstrated through the documented development of a work over time.

For this reason, we strongly encourage authors to maintain clear records of their drafting and editorial process. Tools such as True OriginTM can help establish a verifiable record of how a manuscript evolved across stages of development.

Manuscripts that are primarily generated by AI without substantial human creative contribution, revision, and authorship are not a fit for DartFrog’s publishing programs.

True OriginTM Certification

The True OriginTM seal is available to manuscripts that reflect substantial human authorship as described in this policy.

Eligibility: To be eligible, you warrant and represent that:

• The submitted manuscript was substantially written and developed by a human author;
• No AI tool was used to generate, substantially rewrite, or materially replace human-authored text;
• Any AI use was limited to minor supportive functions (e.g., spell-check, basic grammar correction)
• that did not alter the fundamental voice, originality, or substance of the work; and
• The creative decisions — structure, voice, narrative, character, theme — reflect genuine human authorship.

Author Warranty: By applying for or accepting the True OriginTM seal, you make a legally binding warranty to DartFrog Books and to the public that your work meets the above criteria. This warranty survives the termination of any Publishing Agreement.

Verification: DartFrog Books reserves the right to request proof of original drafts or writing records, or to conduct any other reasonable review to verify the human origin of a submitted manuscript. We may also use AI-detection tools as one input in this process. You acknowledge that:

• AI-detection tools are not infallible and may produce false positives;
• A positive detection result will prompt a conversation rather than automatic rejection;
• DartFrog will exercise good faith and reasonable judgment in interpreting any detection results; and
• The final determination of eligibility rests with DartFrog Books.

Revocation: If it is discovered at any time that a work certified under True OriginTM does not meet these standards:

• The True OriginTM seal will be permanently revoked;
• DartFrog Books will notify relevant distribution partners of the revocation;
• No refund of any fees paid will be issued;
• DartFrog Books reserves the right to terminate the Publishing Agreement immediately; and
• DartFrog Books may pursue any other legal remedy available under applicable law.

Disclosure Requirements

Mandatory Disclosure: You are required to disclose, at the time of submission, any significant use of AI tools in the creation or editing of your manuscript. Use the submission form’s designated disclosure field or contact us at submissions@dartfrogbooks.com before or at the time of submission.

Good Faith Carve-Out: DartFrog recognizes that AI tools are present in many common software platforms. Incidental AI suggestions you chose not to implement, or standard spell-check and grammar correction, do not require disclosure under this policy.

Consequences of Misrepresentation: Making a false or misleading representation regarding the authorship or AI origin of any Submission is a material breach of this policy and the Terms of Service.

Consequences include:

• immediate rejection of the Submission;
• termination of any existing Publishing Agreement without refund;
• revocation of the True OriginTM seal if applicable; and
• removal of the work from distribution if already published under a DartFrog imprint.

Your Manuscript and AI Training

DartFrog Books will not use your submitted manuscripts or any portion thereof to train, fine-tune, or otherwise improve any third-party or proprietary AI model. Your manuscript remains your intellectual property as outlined in our Terms of Service.

If DartFrog uses third-party AI service providers in connection with the Services, we will:

• share only the minimum data necessary for the specific service;
• ensure such providers are contractually prohibited from using your data to train AI models; and
• select providers that maintain data security standards consistent with our Privacy Policy.

Intellectual Property and AI-Generated Works

AI-Generated Content may not be eligible for copyright protection under United States copyright law and the laws of other jurisdictions. By submitting AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Content, you represent that you have independently assessed its copyright status and accept all associated risks, including the risk that portions of your work may be unprotectable.

DartFrog Books makes no warranty that AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Content is free from copyright infringement or third-party claims arising from an AI system’s training data. You assume sole responsibility for any such claims.

A Balanced Approach

We are neither anti-technology nor uncritical of it.

We believe AI can be useful when applied thoughtfully and transparently. We also believe there are areas of publishing where human judgment remains essential and should remain protected.

Our goal is not to remove people from publishing.

It is to use technology responsibly while preserving the human creativity, editorial discernment, and literary culture that make books meaningful in the first place.

Changes to This Policy

DartFrog Books reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days’ notice prior to any new terms taking effect by posting the updated policy on the

Site and updating the “Last Updated” date above. Continued use of the Services after any revision becomes effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

Governing Law

This policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, consistent with our Terms of Service. For users in the European Union or European Economic Area, applicable mandatory consumer protections and GDPR rights described in our Privacy Policy continue to apply.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy, wish to make a disclosure, or would like to discuss the AI content status of your manuscript before submission, please contact us at:

DartFrog Books

Email: support@dartfrogbooks.com

Website: https://dartfrogbooks.com/contact