AI Policy
Last updated: June 2026
Where we use AI
After reviewing several options, there isn't a clear ethical pick. There is coal or "clean coal". One may have better marketing, but they are all following the same practices. Reluctantly we use AI assisted coding tools. This means code suggestions, catching bugs, and speeding up repetitive engineering tasks. All code is reviewed, tested, and owned by our developers. We are also continuing to test opensource models that we can run locally, though the current hardware shortages are making this difficult.
Our non-English content is produced with the assistance of automated translation tools.
Where we don't use AI
The creative and conceptual work behind 8by3 is done by real people. This includes:
- Technical architecture and engineering decisions
- Visual design and user experience
- Written copy and editorial content
- Photography, illustration, and other media
We don't use AI to generate ideas, write for us, or produce imagery. The voice, aesthetic, and thinking behind 8by3 is human.
What we expect from our users
Our platforms are built around real people — producers, suppliers, organisers, and customers — and the value they create. We don't support the use of generative AI to produce listings, descriptions, images, or any other content on our platforms. Authentic content means content made by the person or business behind it: their words, their photography, their ideas. AI-generated filler, synthetic imagery, and machine-written copy undermine the trust that makes these communities worth being part of. We reserve the right to remove content we reasonably believe was generated rather than created. We have a zero-slop policy.
Our services don't depend on AI
None of our products or services rely on AI to operate. AI tools assist us during development — they play no part in running what we ship. If every AI service disappeared overnight, our services would continue without interruption.
Questions?
If you have questions about how AI is used on a specific project or product, contact us.