AI Disclosure
Transparency about how AI tools were used in this project.
Here is how AI tools were used in this project, and how I reviewed, verified, and made the output my own. The assignment requires this disclosure, and honest work does too.
Tools Used
Claude Code
Anthropic's command-line coding assistant. I used it as a collaborator throughout the build.
How AI Was Used
1. Website Development (Code)
Claude Code built the site infrastructure: the Next.js project, the responsive navigation, the page layouts, and the Tailwind styling. I made the decisions, including the tech stack, the page organization, and the visual direction. The AI wrote the code that carried them out.
2. Content Drafting (Text)
AI helped draft the copy for each section. I supplied the topic, the structure, and the key points from my research and course material. The AI produced first drafts. I checked them for accuracy, rewrote them in my own voice, and verified every claim against primary sources. Each statistic traces back to a source in the bibliography.
3. Research Assistance
AI helped find academic papers, government reports, and data on Hurricane Sandy. I verified that each source exists, is cited accurately, and actually supports the claim it backs. I checked every bibliography entry for correct APA formatting.
How I Made It My Own
I chose Hurricane Sandy as my topic and determined the narrative structure: framing the project as a consultant briefing.
I decided which rubric criteria to emphasize in each section, and how to organize each page.
I reviewed all content for factual accuracy by cross-referencing with primary sources from NOAA, NHC, IPCC, and NYC government reports.
I verified all statistics cited in the text and confirmed they match published data.
I edited content to reflect concepts and terminology from the ATMO 180 course (e.g., the hazard-exposure-vulnerability framework, intensive vs. extensive risk, Köppen classification, and return periods).
I made all design and layout decisions, including the page structure, navigation organization, and visual hierarchy.
I managed the full development workflow using professional git practices: feature branches, pull requests, and meaningful commit messages.
Important Note
AI is a tool, not a replacement for understanding. It helped with code and first drafts. The analysis and the synthesis are mine, and they reflect what I learned in ATMO 180. Every claim is backed by a verifiable source in the bibliography.