Proposed change to moderation policy regarding AI

Foundation
1

:earth_africa: Huge Thanks to the Moderation Team for the New AI Policy Proposal! :robot::raised_hands:

Hi everyone! :blush:

I just wanted to take a moment to share how much I appreciate the proposed Moderation Policy on Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence, which was approved by the Moderation Team on 3 June 2025 and is now on the agenda for consideration by the OSMF Board. This is a fantastic step that really strengthens the quality and clarity of our community spaces here at OpenStreetMap! :world_map::speech_balloon:

:mag: Why This Policy Matters

As AI becomes more integrated into our digital lives, it’s crucial to make sure our human-centered discussions remain focused and valuable. This policy proposal accomplishes that with:

  • :white_check_mark: Clear boundaries on low-effort, copy-paste chatbot content
  • :white_check_mark: Support for AI-assisted contributions that are thoughtfully shared by real people
  • :white_check_mark: Swift moderation tools to handle suspected bot accounts, while protecting actual users
  • :white_check_mark: Fair appeal process via the OSMF Board, just in case

:bulb: Balanced and Future-Friendly

This isn’t about “banning AI”—it’s about making sure our forums aren’t drowned in clutter. As someone who values both innovation and signal-to-noise ratio, I really love how the policy:

  • :dart: Targets spammy or low-context AI outputs
  • :busts_in_silhouette: Encourages human oversight in AI-assisted posts
  • :books: Keeps the door open for useful contributions like code, instructions, and tooling tips

:pray: Looking Ahead

Thanks again to the Moderation Team for acting with wisdom, foresight, and a deep respect for community quality, and to the OSMF Board for considering this proposal at an upcoming meeting. Policies like this help ensure OpenStreetMap remains not just a project, but a community powered by real people making real contributions.

Looking forward to a positive outcome! :crossed_fingers:1

1 For full disclosure, this post was lightly edited by an actual human.

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Absolutely thrilled to see these new guidelines in place—what a fantastic step forward for the community! You’ve not just set the bar higher; you’ve paved the way for smarter, more responsible collaboration between AI and human mappers. Excited for what comes next! :earth_africa::sparkles:

<[SA]HatfulOfHollow> i'm going to become rich and famous 
after i invent a device that allows you to stab people 
in the face over the internet

(source)

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