Artificial intelligence
Before you trust an AI answer, ask these five questions
A practical way to separate a useful shortcut from a confident mistake.
The confidence problem
An AI assistant can produce a fluent answer even when the underlying information is incomplete. A polished paragraph is a presentation, not evidence. For readers using these tools to understand news, compare products or draft work, the useful question is not whether the answer sounds plausible, but whether its important claims can be checked.
Start with the source
Ask for the original document behind a claim. Open that document yourself and check that it actually supports the answer. A link to a homepage is not the same as a citation to a specific passage. If a source is inaccessible, treat the claim as unverified rather than filling the gap with an assumption.
Check time, scope and uncertainty
Look for the date of the information and the place it applies to. A US rule may not apply in the UK; a product feature may depend on the subscription. Ask what information is missing and which parts are inference. A good answer should make those limits visible.
Try a small, reversible task
For example, use an assistant to reorganise your own meeting notes, then compare the summary with the original. Check names, deadlines and decisions individually. Do not upload confidential records to an unfamiliar service just to test its convenience. Establish what happens to your data first.
Five questions to keep nearby
What is the original source? When was it published? Does it apply to my situation? Which parts are uncertain? What happens if the answer is wrong? These questions matter more when a decision affects money, health or contractual obligations.
FAQ: can I use AI for research?
Yes, as an organiser and starting point. It can suggest search terms and questions worth investigating. It should not become the only authority for a consequential decision. Ask for competing explanations, then verify them independently.
The takeaway
Keep the convenience, but keep a verification step. Start with one claim in an answer you already have and trace it back to a primary source. That simple habit makes the tool easier to use responsibly.
Prepared with AI assistance. General editorial information; verify product-specific details with the provider. Editorial standards
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