Archived: AI Collaboration Guide for Content Creation (Updated Apr 2025)

Note: This guide reflects updated thinking on collaborating with AI for content creation as of April 2025. It's stored for reference. Active guidelines should align with 40.7 - AI Usage Policy & Guide and current best practices discussed by the team.

Core Principles for AI-Assisted Content

Working with AI can significantly speed up content creation, but requires diligence. Our core principles are:

1. Human Oversight is Paramount: AI assists, it doesn't replace professional judgment. A human lawyer must review, edit, and approve all content before publishing.
2. Accuracy First: Legal information must be verified against current Malaysian law. AI output is a draft, not authoritative legal fact.
3. Compliance is Mandatory: All content must adhere strictly to Malaysian Bar Council guidelines (no solicitation, guarantees, superlatives, etc.).
4. Authentic Tone: Content must reflect V L Decruz & Co.'s warm, approachable, yet professional voice. AI drafts need human refinement for authentic tone.
5. Provide Value: Content should educate and support our target audience, subtly showcasing expertise without being overtly promotional.

Guidelines for Creating Blog Posts (with AI Collaboration)

1. Defining the Content

2. Structure & Formatting

• Length: Aim for 800-1,200 words.
• Structure: Intro (hook, purpose), Main Body (logical sections with clear ### subheadings), Conclusion (summary, CTA).
• Readability: Use short paragraphs, bullet points (* or -), numbered lists (1.).
• Advanced Tables: Use tables for comparisons, step-by-step guides, or summarizing complex info where appropriate for clarity. You can ask the AI to suggest table structures.

3. Tone & Voice Requirements

• Must Be: Warm, friendly, approachable, caring, supportive, professional, reliable.
• Must Avoid: Jargon (or explain simply), overly formal language, intimidation, condescension.
• Action: Explicitly instruct the AI on tone and ask it to self-critique its draft for tone alignment. Refine manually.

4. Compliance Checklist (MANDATORY Review)

• Does the content avoid direct solicitation or advertising language?
• Does it refrain from guarantees, superlatives ("best"), or comparisons?
• Does it avoid referring to the firm/lawyers as "specialists"?
• Is the legal information accurate and verified against current Malaysian law?
• Is the tone neutral and informative where required by guidelines?

Recommended AI Collaboration Workflow

This is an iterative process:

1. Brief the AI: Provide the AI (me) with clear instructions using the "Briefing Document" checklist below. Include topic, audience, objective, key points, keywords, desired tone, and CTA.
2. AI Generates Outline: Ask the AI to propose a detailed outline (potentially suggesting table structures for certain sections using Advanced Tables concepts).
3. Human Reviews/Refines Outline: You review the AI's outline, adjust section flow, add/remove points, ensure it meets the objective. Provide feedback to the AI.
4. AI Generates Draft Sections: Ask the AI to draft content based on the approved outline, section by section or the full draft. Explicitly request adherence to tone and avoidance of jargon.
5. Human Reviews Draft & Provides Feedback: Read the AI draft critically. Focus on:
   • Legal Accuracy: Correct any errors or nuances (CRITICAL).
   • Clarity & Flow: Does it make sense? Is it easy to read?
   • Tone Alignment: Does it sound like us? Where does it feel generic or off?
   • Completeness: Does it cover the key points from the outline?
   • Compliance: Initial check against Bar Council rules.
   • Provide specific feedback to the AI for revision (e.g., "Rephrase this section to be warmer," "Explain this legal term simply," "Verify this statement about stamp duty").
6. AI Revises Draft: The AI incorporates your feedback to improve the draft. Repeat steps 5 & 6 as needed for refinement.
7. Human Final Edit & Verification: This is non-negotiable.
   • Thoroughly edit the refined draft for style, grammar, and flow.
   • Perform final, rigorous fact-checking and legal accuracy verification.
   • Ensure full compliance with Bar Council guidelines.
   • Add personal touches, anecdotes, or specific examples only a human lawyer would know.
8. Publish & Repurpose: Finalize SEO elements (meta description), publish, and then consider repurposing (see below).

Briefing Document Checklist for AI Assistant

Before asking the AI (me) to draft, provide this information:

• [ ] Main Topic: (Be specific)
• [ ] Target Audience: (e.g., First-time Subsale Homebuyers in KL)
• [ ] Primary Objective: (e.g., Educate on the SPA process, Guide landlords on tenancy agreements)
• [ ] Key Points/Sections to Cover: (List 3-5 main ideas or outline headings)
• [ ] Specific Questions to Address (if any):
• [ ] Desired Tone: (Confirm: Warm, approachable, professional, reliable, caring) Any specific nuances?
• [ ] Keywords to Include (if any):
• [ ] Call to Action (CTA): (What should readers do next?)
• [ ] Any Unique Insights/Examples to Weave In? (Provide these upfront if possible)
• [ ] Request: "Please generate a detailed outline first for my review." OR "Please draft the article based on these points, paying close attention to the specified tone and avoiding complex jargon."

Repurposing Content (Blog to Social Media / Standalone Social)

(Retain the core structure from your previous guide for this section, but update the workflow part)

• Workflow Update: AI can assist in extracting key points, drafting social media captions, suggesting relevant hashtags, or even scripting short videos based on the finalized blog post or a standalone topic brief. However, all AI suggestions require human review, editing for platform context, compliance checks, and final approval. Use the same iterative review process as for blog posts.

Final Reminders for Yi Xie / Team:

• You are the Expert: AI is a tool. Your legal knowledge, experience, and understanding of our clients are irreplaceable.
• Iterate: Don't expect a perfect first draft from the AI. Use feedback loops to refine the content.
• Verify Everything: Never trust AI-generated legal statements without independent verification against current Malaysian law and practice.
• Own the Output: The final published content is the firm's responsibility, regardless of AI assistance.