IBT Online AI Policy

Effective: April 2026 | Supersedes all prior versions

1. Our Commitment

1.1 At IBT Online, AI is central to how we deliver results for America’s companies, helping US businesses grow their sales, exports, brand, and digital presence, both domestically and internationally.

1.2 We integrate AI tools across website development, localization, SEO/GEO optimization, content creation, SEM, SMM, and analytics, pairing AI capability with human expertise, judgment, and accountability.

1.3 This policy governs how every IBT Online team member selects, uses, evaluates, and oversees AI tools in the delivery of client services and internal operations. It applies to all team members, contractors, and partners who use AI tools in the course of IBT Online work.

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2. Core Principles

2.1 Human Authority. AI Augments, Never Replaces Judgment. AI tools enhance the speed, scale, and quality of our work. They do not replace the expertise, critical thinking, and ethical oversight of the IBT Online team. Every AI-assisted output requires human review, approval, and accountability before delivery.

2.2 Ethical Use. Without Exception. We use AI in ways that are fair, honest, and consistent with IBT Online’s values and our clients’ best interests. We do not use AI to mislead, manipulate, discriminate, or generate content that misrepresents facts, people, brands, or markets.

2.3 Transparency. With Colleagues, Clients, and Audiences. We disclose the use of AI in significant deliverables. We do not represent AI-generated work as unaided human original creation. Where AI has meaningfully shaped a client-facing output, that is communicated internally and, where relevant, to the client.

2.4 Client Data is Inviolable. No confidential, proprietary, or sensitive client data, including business strategies, contact lists, financial data, product roadmaps, or unpublished content, is ever input into any external AI tool without explicit written client authorization and a confirmed data processing agreement.

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3. AI Fluency Framework

3.1 IBT Online operates according to four core competencies for responsible AI use: Delegation, Description, Discernment, and Diligence.

3.2 Delegation. What We Ask AI to Do. We thoughtfully decide which tasks are appropriate for AI assistance versus tasks requiring independent human judgment. AI is well-suited for research, drafting, translation support, ideation, data analysis, schema generation, and optimization. AI is not the final authority on client strategy, brand voice, legal compliance, or anything that materially affects a client’s reputation or business.

3.3 Description. How We Direct AI. Effective AI collaboration requires precise, contextual prompting. Team members are expected to craft clear, specific, well-contextualized prompts. Prompt quality is a professional skill at IBT Online.

3.4 Discernment. How We Evaluate AI Outputs. All AI-generated content is critically evaluated before use across four dimensions:

• Accuracy: Verify facts, statistics, and claims against authoritative sources. AI tools can generate plausible-sounding but false information, so never publish without independent verification.
• Relevance: Confirm the output is appropriate for the specific client, market, and audience.
• Bias & Cultural Sensitivity: Assess outputs for factual error or embedded bias, especially critical in multilingual and multicultural marketing contexts.
• Brand & Legal Alignment: Ensure outputs meet IBT Online standards and client guidelines.

3.5 Diligence. Ongoing Responsibility. Responsible AI use is continuous. Team members are expected to monitor AI tool performance, flag quality issues, stay current on approved tools and their risks, and complete IBT Online AI policy training at onboarding and at each policy update.

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4. Ethical, Safety & Discernment Statement

4.1 Fairness. We do not use AI to generate content that stereotypes, discriminates, or misrepresents any group, culture, market, or individual, including in multilingual and localized content where cultural nuance is especially consequential.

4.2 Honesty. We do not use AI to fabricate testimonials, fake statistics, false credentials, or misleading competitive claims. AI-assisted content must be truthful and independently verifiable.

4.3 Safety. We do not use AI in ways that expose clients, their customers, or IBT Online to legal, reputational, regulatory, or cybersecurity risk, including tools that retain or train on confidential data inputs.

4.4 Accountability. Every AI-assisted deliverable has a named human owner responsible for its accuracy, appropriateness, and outcomes. “The AI produced it” is not an acceptable defense for errors or harm.

4.5 Intellectual Property. We respect copyright, fair use, and IP ownership in all AI-assisted work. AI-generated content is reviewed for potential IP conflicts before use or publication, in accordance with current US copyright guidance.

4.6 Privacy & Data Protection. IBT Online complies with applicable privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, and equivalent frameworks in client target markets). AI tools used in client work are assessed for data handling practices before adoption.

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5. Prohibited Uses

5.1 Team members must never:

• 5.1.1 Input client confidential data, PII, financial records, or unpublished IP into any AI tool without explicit authorization.
• 5.1.2 Use AI to generate content designed to deceive, manipulate, or harm.
• 5.1.3 Represent AI-generated content as independently human-authored without disclosure.
• 5.1.4 Use AI to circumvent IBT Online’s quality review or client approval processes.
• 5.1.5 Integrate AI tools with internal company systems without written approval from IT.
• 5.1.6 Use unapproved AI tools on client work.
• 5.1.7 Publish AI-generated content, text, images, or data, without human review and sign-off.

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6. AI Disclosure Standards

6.1 Internal. Team members must note AI tool usage in project files and flag AI-assisted deliverables at handoff and review stages.

6.2 Client-Facing. Where AI has played a substantive role in a deliverable, IBT Online discloses this to the client upon request and in our service agreements.

6.3 Published Content. IBT Online follows evolving platform and regulatory disclosure requirements for AI-generated or AI-assisted content, including FTC guidelines and applicable international regulations.

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7. Staying Current

7.1 The AI landscape evolves rapidly. This policy is reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever material changes in tools, regulations, or industry practice warrant it.

7.2 Team members are responsible for following policy updates, completing any required AI training designated by IBT Online, and proactively raising questions about new tools or edge cases with their supervisor.

7.3 IBT Online encourages all team members to pursue ongoing AI fluency development through available courses, certifications, and professional resources.