Do I need to disclose AI use to clients? What's your policy?
I'm a freelance designer/writer and I've been using AI tools to speed up my workflow. The quality of my work has improved and I'm delivering faster, but I'm wondering about the ethics of disclosure.**My Current Situation:**I use AI for:- Brainstorming and ideation (ChatGPT)- First drafts of copy (Claude)- Image generation for mockups (Midjourney)- Background removal and editing (various AI tools)But then I heavily edit, refine, and customize everything. The final product is definitely MY work, but AI helped me get there faster.**The Question:**Do I need to tell clients I'm using AI tools? Some arguments I've heard:**FOR Disclosure:**- Transparency builds trust- Some clients have policies against AI- Better to be upfront than get caught- It's the ethical thing to do**AGAINST Disclosure:**- You don't disclose what Photoshop brushes you used- AI is just another tool in the toolbox- Clients care about results, not process- Might lose clients unnecessarily due to AI stigma**What I'm Leaning Toward:**I'm thinking of adding a line to my contracts like: "I use industry-standard tools and technologies, which may include AI-assisted software, to deliver high-quality work efficiently."This way it's disclosed but not the main focus.**My Questions for You:**1. Do you disclose AI use to your clients?2. If yes, how do you phrase it?3. Have you ever lost a client because of AI use?4. Do you charge less if you use AI?5. What if the client specifically asks if you used AI?I want to do the right thing, but I also don't want to unnecessarily complicate things or lose business because of AI stigma.What's your policy? How do you handle this?