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Planning Your Entry

How to Disclose AI Use in your Entries

AI tools are increasingly used in creative workflows. To keep portfolios credible for students, schools, judges, and recruiters, The Rookies requires clear and consistent disclosure when AI is used in a contest entry.

These guidelines explain when disclosure is required, what is allowed, what is not allowed, and how to disclose AI use correctly.

When AI disclosure is required

You must disclose AI use if AI tools were used in any meaningful way during the creation of an entry. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Concept or idea generation
  • Visual exploration or reference generation
  • Image, texture, or asset generation
  • Animation, rigging, scripting, or code assistance
  • Layout, composition, or structural decisions influenced by AI output

If AI influenced the creative outcome, disclosure is required.

If you are unsure whether disclosure is needed, disclose.

Allowed use of AI (with disclosure)

AI may be used as a supporting tool, provided the final work clearly represents your own skills.

Allowed examples include:

  • Using AI for early concept exploration or ideation
  • Generating reference images or mood exploration
  • Using AI-generated material as a starting point that is heavily modified or rebuilt
  • Using AI internally for planning, notes, or problem-solving that does not directly affect the final creative output

In all cases, the role of AI must be clearly disclosed.

Not allowed

The following are not permitted as part of Rookie Awards entries, even if disclosed:

  • Direct uploads of AI-generated images or artwork as final output
  • Entries where AI performed most of the execution
  • Prompt-only or minimally edited AI outputs
  • Presenting AI-generated work as manual or technical skill
  • Omitting disclosure to misrepresent authorship

If AI is responsible for the majority of the final result, the work does not meet portfolio standards.

How to disclose AI use

Disclosure must be clear, specific, and easy to understand.

Include a short disclosure in your entries description under a heading such as AI Disclosure or Tools & Process.

Good disclosure examples:

  • “AI tools were used during early concept exploration to generate visual references. All final assets were created manually.”
  • “AI was used to generate a base texture, which was then fully repainted and modified by hand.”

Poor disclosure examples:

  • “AI-assisted”
  • “Used AI a bit”
  • No disclosure

Why disclosure matters

Clear AI disclosure helps:

  • Students accurately represent their skills
  • Judges assess work fairly
  • Recruiters trust portfolios on the platform

These standards exist to protect everyone using The Rookies.

Verification and enforcement

The Rookies does not actively hunt for AI use or assume bad intent.

However, we may:

  • Request clarification about AI usage
  • Ask for process work or breakdowns
  • Review or remove entries with unclear or misleading disclosure
  • Disqualify contest entries where AI use violates the rules

Failure to disclose meaningful AI use may result in entry removal or contest disqualification.