Let’s talk about AI.
You’ve seen it: the flood of hollow, AI-generated articles that promise everything and say nothing. They’re the digital equivalent of a bland, soulless skyscraper. They take up space but have no character. They’re ruining the trust and authenticity of the internet.
That’s not us. It never will be.
Our promise is simple: every story on Hey Chicago is human-first.
It starts with a real person, a real place, and a real experience in this city. It begins with a conversation, a meal, a walk through a neighborhood, or a visit to a new exhibit. The ideas, the opinions, and the core of every article come from our team of Chicagoans who are passionate about sharing their city.
So, where does AI fit in? Think of it as a tool in our workshop, not the architect. We use AI assistants to help us with specific, practical tasks after the real work is done.
- It helps us organize our research and outlines.
- It acts as a smart copy editor, helping us polish our sentences for clarity and flow.
- It can even help us brainstorm a headline or two.
What AI doesn’t do is have experiences. It doesn’t eat at the restaurants, walk the neighborhoods, or feel the energy of a festival. It can’t tell you what it really feels like to see the skyline from a rooftop bar on a perfect summer night. We can. That’s the difference.
Your trust is everything to us. Chicago is a city of substance, not shortcuts. Our content must reflect that. Every piece is thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by a human being before it ever reaches you.
On AI images, our policy is even simpler: Zero. Full stop.
This city is one of the most photogenic places on earth. Using a fake, computer-generated image of it would be an insult to its character and to your intelligence. All photography on this site is real, captured by talented photographers who see the city as it truly is.
We believe in using technology to make our work better, not to replace the human heart of it.
If you have any questions about our process, we’d love to talk.
Thanks,
The Team at Hey Chicago
hello@heychicago.com