Transparency matters. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into content creation, readers deserve to know the origin and nature of what they’re consuming. Today, I’m introducing AI Influence Levels (AIL) to fz42.net, which is Daniel Miessler’s framework for rating content based on AI involvement.

What Are AI Influence Levels?

AI Influence Levels provide a standardized way to communicate how much AI was involved in creating content. Again, reminder that Daniel Miessler created this framework, and I’m just using it here. The system uses a simple 0-5 scale:

  • AIL 0: Human Created, No AI Involved
  • AIL 1: Human Created, Minor AI Assistance
  • AIL 2: Human Created, Major AI Augmentation
  • AIL 3: AI Created, Human Full Structure
  • AIL 4: AI Created, Human Basic Idea
  • AIL 5: AI Created, Little Human Involvement

Why This Matters

In an era where AI can generate everything from blog posts to artwork, the line between human and machine creativity is increasingly blurred. Readers care about authenticity and origin, especially when that origin might not be entirely human.

This isn’t about judging whether AI assistance is “good” or “bad.” It’s about transparency. Some readers prefer purely human-written content, while others are curious about AI-augmented creativity. By clearly labeling content with its AIL rating, everyone can make informed decisions about what they’re reading.

How It Works on fz42.net

Starting today, you’ll notice a small ⚡ icon in the metadata section below post titles, followed by an AIL rating (e.g., “AIL 1”). Hover over the indicator to see a tooltip explaining what that level means.

Every post on the site will display an AIL rating:

  • Posts without explicit ratings default to AIL 0 (human-only)
  • Posts with AI involvement will show their appropriate level
  • The rating reflects the content creation process, not the ideas or expertise behind it

My Commitment to Transparency

Most content on fz42.net will likely fall into AIL 0-2 range. I believe in human expertise and perspective, but I’m not opposed to using AI tools for editing, research assistance, or exploring ideas. When I do use AI in any meaningful way, you’ll know about it.

This post itself is rated AIL 2—I wrote the initial draft and structure, but used AI assistance to refine the language and ensure clarity. The ideas, perspective, and technical implementation are entirely my own.

Technical Implementation

For those curious about the technical side, the AIL system is implemented as:

  1. An optional ai_influence_level parameter in post front matter
  2. Hugo template logic that displays the appropriate indicator
  3. Consistent visual design using the ⚡ icon across all levels
  4. Descriptive tooltips explaining each level

The feature is backward-compatible—existing posts without AIL ratings automatically display as AIL 0.

Looking Forward

As AI tools evolve and become more sophisticated, having clear standards for disclosure becomes increasingly important. By adopting Daniel Miessler’s AIL framework, fz42.net joins a growing movement toward transparency in AI-assisted content creation.

I encourage other content creators to consider implementing similar disclosure systems. Transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of any meaningful reader relationship.