Learn · AI, safely
Check what AI tells you
6 min · recommended
Why this matters. AI answers read smoothly whether they're right or wrong, and chatbots have invented court cases, medical studies and product specs that don't exist. The more an answer matters, the more it needs checking against a real source.
1
Ask for sources, then open them
Ask 'where does that come from?' and click the links. If a source doesn't exist or doesn't say what the AI claimed, don't trust the answer.
2
Cross-check what matters
For facts you'll act on, confirm with an official site (government, the company itself, a known news outlet).
3
Health, legal and money decisions
Use AI to prepare questions, never as the decision. Take those questions to a doctor, pharmacist, lawyer or financial adviser.
4
Watch for recent events
Chatbots can be out of date. Anything about news, prices or deadlines needs a current source.
Check your understanding
An AI gives you a medication dose. What should you do?
Check it with a pharmacist, doctor or the official label. Never rely on AI alone for medical decisions.
The AI cites a study. How do you check it?
Open the link or search for it. If you can't find it, or it says something different, the AI may have made it up.
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Checked against:
FTC: Artificial intelligence (consumer advice)
· last reviewed 2026-09