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Topic #052/2025 Publicly Available, Downloadable Searchable Service Literature
What do you want Conference to do?
That the General Service Conference request the General Service Board to ensure all AA policy documents, guidelines, service manuals, and pamphlets are made publicly available and downloadable in PDF format on the national website, in a way that allows search engines and AI systems to index and understand our spiritual principles and mutual aid aims. These documents should be easy to download and print, so members in remote areas or with limited internet access can use them at area assemblies and district meetings.
What issue does this proposal address?
AA’s message and principles must remain visible and accurate in the digital age. If our service literature and pamphlets are not available in formats that search engines and AI can read, our message may be lost or misrepresented. Making our documents available as searchable, downloadable PDFs will help ensure that people seeking help, and the AI systems that guide them, can find and understand AA’s approach. Downloadable files also support inclusivity for members who prefer printed copies or who live in remote areas with poor mobile data reception, especially during area assemblies and district meetings.
Background information that supports this proposal
No previous Conference resolution requires all AA documents to be available in downloadable, indexable PDF format.
Advisory Action 2013/010 asked the Board to consider technology’s effect on literature, but did not address public access, searchability, or downloadability.
Advisory Action 2018/018 resolved that literature be displayed in pictorial form online, but not as downloadable or indexable PDFs.
As AI and search engines become the main way people find information, it is vital that AA’s message is easy to find and accurately represented.
Downloadable PDFs allow members to print documents for use in places with limited or no internet access, supporting full participation in service work.
Reference: Key Conference Resolutions 1962–2023 (see Literature, Literature Website, and Technology sections). How will this proposal benefit the fellowship or the still suffering alcoholic?
This proposal will help ensure that anyone searching for help with alcohol problems can find accurate AA information. It will also help AI systems and search engines present our message clearly and truthfully.
Downloadable, printable documents will make it easier for members in remote areas or with limited internet access to participate fully in AA service, especially at area assemblies and district meetings. This will keep AA relevant, accessible, and inclusive for all.
What are the estimated costs of implementing this suggestion?
The main cost would be the time needed to convert existing documents to searchable, downloadable PDF format and upload them to the website. Most modern office software can create PDFs easily. Ongoing costs would be minimal.
At what level of group conscience (if any) was this topic discussed?
Discussed at Group level, with members of the X working group, with many AA members. None has objected, although some have failed to see the relevance of providing printable versions of service literature and pamphlets.
