Reference · Cheatsheet

Verify AI answers checklist

Confident tone ≠ correct facts. Use this when answers matter for school, work, health, money, or law.

Confident tone ≠ correct facts. Use this when answers matter for school, work, health, money, or law.

Quick verify (30 seconds)

  • **Names & dates** — search one claim independently
  • **Numbers & math** — recalculate or spot-check
  • **Links & citations** — open them; confirm they exist and say what AI claims
  • **Logic** — does step B actually follow from step A?
  • **Second source** — one other reputable page or person agrees

High-risk topics (extra care)

| Topic | Verify with |

|-------|-------------|

| Medical | Licensed professional, official health sites |

| Legal | Qualified lawyer, primary sources |

| Finance | Official statements, your advisor |

| News | Original reporting, multiple outlets |

| Code/security | Run tests, read docs, never run mystery scripts |

Power moves

  • Ask the AI: "What might be wrong here? What are you unsure about?"
  • Ask for **sources**, then check those sources yourself
  • Compare **two models** on the same factual question
  • **Related lessons:** `spot-wrong-answers`, `why-ai-makes-mistakes`