Understanding AI in the Real World
We document how artificial intelligence is actually used at work — so communities can make informed, human-centered decisions.
Explore our missionOur Purpose
Documenting what AI actually does at work — so people can decide what to do about it.
The Human AI Reality Project is an independent nonprofit. We exist to clarify how artificial intelligence is used in real work environments, so that people, organizations, and societies can make informed, human-centered decisions. Trust is built through restraint, transparency, and consistency.
Our Mission
Five commitments that guide our work
Plain principles, applied consistently — so the public can trust what we publish and why we publish it.
Human Responsibility Comes First
People design, deploy, and oversee AI systems. Accountability belongs to humans — not to the tools they use.
Reality Over Hype
We document what AI actually does in real workplaces, separating verified practice from marketing and speculation.
Independence
We are not funded or directed by any vendor, platform, or political organization. Our findings answer to the public, not to clients.
Neutrality With Integrity
We don't take sides for or against AI. We report what we find, plainly and consistently, even when the answer is inconvenient.
Protection of Contributors
Workers and practitioners who share their experiences are anonymized and protected. Their trust is the foundation of this work.
Scope
What we do — and what we don't
What we do
- Document real AI use in everyday workplaces
- Identify patterns across industries and roles
- Publish findings openly and accessibly
- Protect contributor anonymity at every step
What we don't do
- Audit companies or individual employers
- Certify AI systems as safe or compliant
- Rank, rate, or endorse vendors
- Enforce regulations or compliance standards
"Trust is built through restraint, transparency, and consistency."
Governance
Who governs this
The Project is directed by a Governing Board drawn from four communities, with structural safeguards to keep any single group from dominating the agenda.
Workers & Advocates
Voices from the people most directly affected by workplace AI.
Domain Practitioners
Experienced professionals from health, education, manufacturing, and product design.
Technical Experts
Engineers and researchers who understand how these systems actually work.
Legal & Ethics Specialists
Independent thinkers grounding our work in rights, responsibility, and public interest.
Board members serve fixed, staggered terms, and no single constituency may hold a voting majority — keeping the Project independent in practice, not just in principle.
How We Operate
The rules we hold ourselves to
Drawn directly from our Governance Charter — the operating principles that keep this work independent, ethical, and useful.
Advisory & Expert Participation
Industry experts and advisory councils provide insight and context, but they do not control decisions or findings.
Conflict of Interest
All leaders and advisors must disclose conflicts. Recusal is required wherever a conflict exists — no exceptions.
Funding Integrity
Funding never influences findings. All major funding sources are disclosed publicly, and restricted funding is declined.
Transparency & Accountability
Governance principles, methodologies, and findings are published openly. Research undergoes internal ethical and accuracy review.
Scope & Limitations
We do not certify systems, audit companies, or enforce compliance. Our role is documentation and clarity — nothing more.
Amendments
This charter may be amended transparently by the Governing Board, with every change documented publicly for the record.
Data & Privacy
Your trust is the work
Voluntary Participation
Nothing is collected without informed, opt-in consent. You decide what to share.
Fully Anonymized
Identifying details are stripped before findings are reviewed or published.
Never Sold
Contributor data is never sold, licensed, or shared with vendors or advertisers.
Get Involved
Share, learn, or partner with us
Tell us how you'd like to be part of the work. We read every message.