diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_issue.md
index d8825ed..9a5ff41 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_issue.md
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ Tell us about your environment, including:
 
 …
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -92,5 +92,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/enhancement_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/enhancement_issue.md
index 3e86eba..c6a943f 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/enhancement_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/enhancement_issue.md
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ Instructions:
 <!-- (Optional) Explain possible issues/costs that could arise - if any - from implementing this enhancement -->
 
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -54,5 +54,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_issue.md
index 211d71b..f040360 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_issue.md
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@ type: Tracking Issue
 
 - [Link]
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -84,5 +84,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/other_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/other_issue.md
index 06f0d39..abde6bf 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/other_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/other_issue.md
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ about: For issues that don't fit any other category
 
 
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -36,5 +36,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/product_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/product_issue.md
index 0b78dad..c5e2694 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/product_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/product_issue.md
@@ -28,9 +28,9 @@ _[Then, more detail. Provide a short summary and/or list key outcomes that the u
 ### Accessibility Requirements
 
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -51,5 +51,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_task_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_task_issue.md
index e2da328..00f1bb1 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_task_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_task_issue.md
@@ -103,9 +103,9 @@ OPTIONAL - Delete if not needed.
 Links to documentation, code references, or relevant libraries.
 -->
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -126,5 +126,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_tracking_issue.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_tracking_issue.md
index 676dc0d..a9374b4 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_tracking_issue.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/technical_tracking_issue.md
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@ Only include if there's a unifying test strategy across sub-tasks.
 Otherwise, leave testing guidance to individual task issues.
 -->
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the issue is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -76,5 +76,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   the requirements in my own words."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index af88746..a4403eb 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <!--
- 1. REQUIRED: Always fill in the AI usage section at the bottom
+ 1. REQUIRED: Fill in every section marked REQUIRED, including AI usage at the bottom
  2. Following guidance below, replace …'s with your own words
  3. After saving the PR, tick of completed checklist items
  4. Skip checklist items that are not applicable or not necessary
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 -->
 
 ## Summary
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
  * headline description of the change
  * motivation for the change
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@
 …
 
 ## References
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
  * references to related issues and PRs
 -->
@@ -23,6 +25,7 @@
 …
 
 ## Reviewer guidance
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
  * manual verification steps you have performed
  * anything additional a reviewer can do to test these changes?
@@ -33,9 +36,9 @@
 
 …
 
+## AI usage
+<!-- REQUIRED -->
 <!--
-AI USAGE - REQUIRED
-
 State explicitly whether you didn't use or used AI & how.
 
 If you used it, ensure that the PR is aligned with [Using AI](https://learningequality.org/contributing-to-our-open-code-base/#using-generative-ai as well) as well as our DEEP framework. DEEP asks you:
@@ -57,5 +60,3 @@ Examples of good disclosures:
   verbosity and ran the full test suite."
 
 -->
-
-## AI usage