How to Record an Effective Testimony

Everything you need to document what happened to you — and submit it in a way that actually matters.

Before You Start — Protect Yourself

Before you record, understand what you're sharing and with whom. AIVOICED keeps your information confidential. You control your story. But take these precautions:

• Don't share passwords, account numbers, or financial credentials — only describe what happened, not how to access your accounts.
• Don't include SSNs or full dates of birth — we don't need them and they put you at risk.
• If you're in danger, talk to a lawyer first — if an AI company or entity has threatened you, consult an attorney before submitting publicly.
• You can submit anonymously or partially — first name + last initial is enough to identify your story. We never require full legal name.

What to Say — The Structure of an Effective Testimony

You don't need to be a writer. You just need to tell the truth. Here's the structure that works best:

1. The Setup (Who You Are + What You Were Using)

Start simple. "I'm [first name, last initial] from [state]. I was using [product name, company name] when..."

Example: "I'm Sarah M. from California. I was using Grok via X/Twitter when I discovered AI-generated images of me had been created and shared without my knowledge."

2. What Happened (The Core Event)

Describe the event clearly and in order. Include:

• What you did — what action did you take, what product did you use?
• What the AI did — what output, decision, or action did the AI system make?
• What the result was — what concrete harm came from it?
• When it happened — approximate month/year is fine if you don't remember exact dates

3. What Harm Resulted

Be specific about consequences. "My life was disrupted" is less powerful than "I lost my job, my insurance company denied my claim based on an AI-generated report, and I'm still trying to restore my credit three months later."

Include the categories of harm if relevant: financial, emotional, physical, professional, reputation, privacy.

4. What You Did About It (Optional but Powerful)

Did you try to get help? Contact the company? File a complaint? Talk to a doctor or lawyer? Did anyone help you? Did anyone make it worse?

5. Why It Matters

One sentence on the bigger picture. "This isn't an isolated glitch — it's a pattern that AI companies either can't or won't fix."

What Evidence to Gather

Evidence makes your story stronger. Here's what helps, in order of value:

High Value Evidence

• Screenshots — of the AI output, the product interface, error messages, or decisions made about you. Include the URL and date if visible.
• Email/chat correspondence — any communication with the AI company, especially where they acknowledge the issue or fail to address it.
• Official records — denied claims, rejection letters, medical records showing harm, HR communications about job loss.
• Dates and times — log when events occurred. Even approximate dates are useful.

Medium Value Evidence

• Financial records — showing charges, losses, or damages tied to the AI event.
• Witness statements — if someone else experienced the same thing or witnessed your harm.
• News articles or public reports — documenting similar incidents with the same product.

Low/Optional Evidence

• Social media posts — screenshots of public posts about the harm.
• Device/app logs — if you know how to export them.

How to Record Your Testimony

You have three options. Choose what feels safest and most comfortable for you.

Option 1: Written Testimony Form (Recommended for Most People)

The AIVOICED form is designed to guide you through the key information. Use the prompts. Fill in what you know — leave the rest blank. It's fine to say "I don't know the exact date" or "I'm not sure which algorithm was used." We just need your account of what happened.

Option 2: Video Recording

If you prefer to speak, record a video on your phone. Tips for an effective video:

• Keep it under 10 minutes — we don't need a biography, just the core story.
• Speak clearly and slowly — we transcribe everything, clarity matters.
• State your name and state at the start — "I'm Sarah from California, and I want to tell you what happened to me."
• Don't read from a script — it sounds fake. Just talk through what happened.
• Upload to Google Drive or YouTube (unlisted/private) and paste the link in the form.

Option 3: Audio Recording

Voice memo on your phone works. Same guidance as video — keep it focused, state your name and state upfront, and speak clearly. Upload the audio file via the form.

What Happens After You Submit

Once you submit, here's the process:

1. Review — AIVOICED staff reviews your submission to verify it's a legitimate account of AI harm.
2. Confirmation — you'll receive a confirmation that your story is in the system. Check your email (and spam folder).
3. Status update — stories marked "approved" appear publicly. Stories in "review" are being evaluated. You can request removal at any time by emailing admin@aivoiced.org.
4. Connecting to support — as AIVOICED grows, we'll connect approved stories with legal advocates, class action research, and support resources. Your consent is required before any connection is made.

Your Story Is Evidence

Every major AI company has documentation of harm. They have lawyers, lobbyists, and public relations teams. Victims have mostly been alone.

AIVOICED changes that. Your story becomes part of the record. It gets aggregated with others. Patterns emerge. Legal cases get stronger. Corporate accountability becomes inevitable.

You don't have to fight alone. Your voice matters. Submit your testimony.

AIVOICED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in formation. Your information is kept confidential. Contact admin@aivoiced.org with questions.