Cross-check facts with primary sources

When the AI makes a factual claim — a statistic, a date, a quote, or a scientific finding — verify it against the original source. Search for the specific claim on Google Scholar, government websites, or the cited publication. If the AI cannot provide a source, treat the information as unverified.

Why It Works

AI models generate text based on patterns, not by looking up facts in a database. They can blend real information with plausible-sounding fabrications. Primary sources are the only reliable ground truth.

Tips

• Ask the AI "What is your source for this?" — if it cannot cite one or cites something that does not exist, verify independently
• Be especially careful with statistics, legal information, and medical advice
• Wikipedia references sections are a fast way to find primary sources on a topic