How to Verify Information from AI (The Hallucination Problem)

AI "hallucinations" occur when a chatbot confidently states a fact that is completely wrong. It might invent a court case that never happened or kill off a celebrity who is still alive. Because the AI sounds so confident, these mistakes are hard to spot. You must learn to trust but verify.

Use the "Double-Check" Rule If you are using AI for something low-stakes, like a poem or a recipe, errors don't matter much.

But if you are using it for Health, Money, or Law, you must double-check. If ChatGPT says, "Mixing vinegar and bleach is safe" (it is NOT), do not just believe it. Go to Google and search "Is it safe to mix vinegar and bleach?" to confirm.

Ask for Sources One way to test the AI is to ask it where it got the information.

After it gives you an answer, type: "Please provide a link to the source for that information." If the AI refuses, gives a broken link, or says "I cannot browse the live web," be very suspicious. A real fact usually has a source you can find.

Watch for "Yes Men" AI wants to please you. If you ask a leading question, it will often lie to agree with you.

If you ask, "Why is eating rocks good for you?", the AI might try to invent a reason why rocks are nutritious just to answer your question. Instead, ask neutral questions like: "Is eating rocks safe for humans?" to get a truthful answer.