Creative Disclosure Standard

Clearer origins. A more informed world.

01 / Purpose

What is the CDS?

The Creative Disclosure Standard (CDS) is a voluntary, creator-driven classification system that identifies how a work was created and what tools were used in its production. The goal is simple: greater clarity for readers, respect for creators, and a more informed creative landscape.

The CDS is not a judgment of quality. It is a disclosure of process. By sharing how a work was created, we empower readers to make informed choices and support a creative ecosystem built on transparency, respect, and trust.

02 / Classification

The CDS categories

01
Green 100% Human / Analog CDS badge

100% Human / Analog

This work was created entirely by a human without the use of generative AI tools.

02
Blue Machine-Assisted CDS badge

Machine-Assisted

This work was created by a human with the use of non-generative digital tools (e.g., word processors, editing software, research tools).

03
Gold AI-Assisted CDS badge

AI-Assisted

This work was created primarily by a human with limited assistance from generative AI tools (e.g., brainstorming, editing, syntax, research).

04
Orange AI-Adapted CDS badge

AI-Adapted

This work originated from a substantial human-created source and was adapted using generative AI tools.

05
Purple AI-Co-Created CDS badge

AI-Co-Created

This work was created through a collaborative process between a human and generative AI tools, with significant contributions from both.

06
Red AI-Generated CDS badge

AI-Generated

This work was primarily or wholly generated by AI tools, with minimal or no human creative input.

03 / Example

In use

A CDS disclosure shown on a novel’s copyright page, where readers can see both the selected category and its definition. This example is classified AI-Adapted.

Open novel copyright page showing an AI-Adapted Creative Disclosure Standard badge and the six CDS categories
04 / Use

Usage terms

  1. 01

    One badge per work — pick the tier matching the highest level of AI involvement in its creation.

  2. 02

    Display it unaltered — no recoloring, stretching, or rewriting the definitions.

  3. 03

    Put it where people see it first — cover, product page, credits, description. A disclosure nobody sees isn't one.

  4. 04

    Tell the truth — the badge is a self-declaration. Mislabeling guts the whole standard.

  5. 05

    No certification implied — CDS describes origin, not quality. It doesn't endorse the work.

  6. 06

    Free to use, no license — anyone can display the badges under these terms, for now.

05 / Downloads

Get the badges

Choose the tier that matches your process, then download the artwork or copy an embed for your website, README, or newsletter.

CDS identity assets Stacked logo Horizontal logo Circular seal
06 / Tier picker

Which badge fits your work?

07 / CDS v0.1

Machine-readable spec

For websites, ebooks, and tools: declare your tier in code, not just pixels. Vocabulary: https://creativedisclosure.org/vocab/1.0

HTML meta tags

<meta name="cds-tier" content="ai-adapted">
<meta name="cds-vocab" content="https://creativedisclosure.org/vocab/1.0">

Replace ai-adapted with your own tier slug.

JSON-LD

{
  "@context": ["https://schema.org", {"cds": "https://creativedisclosure.org/vocab/1.0#"}],
  "@type": "CreativeWork",
  "cds:tier": "https://creativedisclosure.org/tiers/ai-adapted"
}

Visible badge embed

<a href="https://creativedisclosure.org/tiers/ai-adapted"><img src="https://creativedisclosure.org/badges/ai-adapted.svg" alt="Creative Disclosure Standard: AI-Adapted — This work originated from a substantial human-created source and was adapted using generative AI tools." width="120"></a>

Reserved for v0.2

EPUB OPF metadata, image XMP/EXIF fields, and audio ID3/Vorbis comment mappings are documented for a future version, not implemented in v0.1.

Canonical slugs

human-analog, machine-assisted, ai-assisted, ai-adapted, ai-co-created, ai-generated

Tier URIs follow the pattern https://creativedisclosure.org/tiers/<slug>.