We sometimes work with vendors to obtain access to their products and services in order to review them. But they never get to see reviews before we publish. They never get to influence what we say in our reviews. Our reviews are always fair and focused on assessing products for their usefulness to our readers.

So let's talk about how we test AI here at ZDNET. Keep in mind that AI is sneaking its way into just about everything, so it's a pretty big portfolio. We look at large language models, development tools, image generators, AI-enabled applications, and even the occasional AI device like vacuum cleaners (good use of AI) and AI pins (not so much).

We test products and services based on a wide range of factors. Our prime directive is that all reviews require hands-on experience and real-world tests. Practically, that means while we might report on a benchmark result from a press release, we don't consider them in reviews.

When we look at products and services, we tend to present two different types of reviews. When we're looking for the top performers in a category, we produce our "Best of" lists. When we do a deep dive into a product or service, we often tell personal stories about our long-term experiences using that product. These different approaches allow us to explore products and services from multiple perspectives.