What “AI Draft” Means | UCSF EARS
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What “AI Draft” Means

We label content on purpose. Here’s what our badges mean, what’s been reviewed, and how to use EARS content safely.

AI Draft Editorial standards Updated December 2025 6 min read

Quick answer

AI Draft means a page was created with AI assistance and then checked for clarity, sourcing, and safety framing—but it has not yet had clinician editing.

If you want the highest level of review, look for Clinician-edited (first pass by one clinician) or Clinically reviewed (second pass by a review team).

The three statuses you’ll see on EARS

We keep this simple and consistent across the site:

AI Draft

AI-assisted draft that has not yet had clinician editing. Useful for orientation, but not a substitute for clinical advice.

Clinician-edited

First pass by one clinician. Edited for clarity, safety framing (“when to get checked”), and consistent routing across EARS.

Clinically reviewed

Second pass by review team. Reviewed for medical accuracy and safety framing. This is the “English/source finalized” state, but pages can still be updated as science changes.

Translation available

A non-English version exists but has not yet been verified by a professional translator/medical interpreter. It may be AI-assisted and should be treated as a helpful draft until verified.

Translation verified

This language version has been reviewed by a professional translator/medical interpreter for meaning, tone, and medical terms.

Translation labels appear on non-English pages only.

You saw “AI Draft” and wondered

You’re reading about hearing loss, devices, tinnitus, insurance, or next steps—information that can affect your health and your wallet—then you notice a badge that says AI Draft.

That’s a reasonable moment to pause. This page exists so you don’t have to guess what the badge means.

What AI does (and what it does not do)

What AI helps with

  • Organizing information into a clear, patient-friendly structure
  • Summarizing and comparing guidance across reputable sources
  • Drafting plain-language explanations that our team can edit and improve
  • Keeping tone consistent across a growing library of tools and guides

What AI does not do on EARS

  • Replace clinical judgment or personalized medical care
  • Decide what is “safe enough” to publish without human review
  • Guarantee accuracy (AI can make mistakes—humans can too)
  • Diagnose you or tell you what you personally should do

Safety note

If you have urgent symptoms (for example: sudden hearing change, severe vertigo with new neurologic symptoms, or a pulsatile “whooshing” that matches your heartbeat), use our safety guidance page: /en/emergency.

How an article moves from idea → Clinically reviewed

  1. Topic selection: Clinicians and educators identify what patients keep asking and where confusion is common.
  2. Drafting: AI may generate a first draft from reputable references, then humans revise for clarity and usefulness.
  3. Editorial review: We check structure, plain language, internal consistency, and safety framing (including “when to get checked”).
  4. Publish as AI Draft: If it’s helpful now and meets editorial standards, we publish it with transparent labeling.
  5. Expert review: UCSF clinical faculty review for medical accuracy and clinical appropriateness.
  6. Clinically reviewed: After expert review + final editorial QA, the article is labeled Clinically reviewed.

How to use AI Draft content responsibly

AI Draft articles are usually most useful for:

  • General education: definitions, how tests work, what options exist
  • Healthcare navigation: what to ask, how to prepare, how care pathways often work
  • Skill-building: communication strategies, coping tools, and practical next steps

Consider prioritizing Clinician-edited or Clinically reviewed content when:

  • You’re making a major medical decision (for example: surgery vs non-surgical options)
  • You’re trying to interpret new or alarming symptoms
  • Your situation is complex (multiple conditions, unusual symptoms, or multiple specialists involved)

Emergency disclaimer

EARS is educational. It does not provide diagnosis or treatment. If you think you may be having an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care. For hearing/tinnitus/balance red flags, see /en/emergency.

Questions, corrections, or feedback

If something seems off—or you have a suggestion—we want to know. That’s part of keeping content trustworthy as the site grows.

Email [email protected]

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