Since we know the responses from ChatGPT and other generative AI models can be unreliable, it is always essential to check the credibility of the AI responses. There are a couple ways that you might do this:
- Lateral Reading - Lateral reading is the method of looking to see if other reliable sources can be found that valid the information you are unsure about. This could be as simple as a Google search to verify that someone mentioned by the AI bot does in fact exist, or finding validating information on a Wikipedia entry or news article. When the information is confirmed through multiple sources then you can be more confident in the information you are seeking to utilize.
- Ask the AI for links or sources - If the AI bot is telling you something that you want to verify, you can ask it to provide a source or link and then check that link or source, because current AI models can make up sources. If an article, report, or other source is mentioned then you can seek out that resource (in Google, Google Scholar, or a Library Database) to ensure that it does exist and then to check the content to confirm that it matches what was shared by AI.
