Lesson 05 · 10 minutes
Check before you trust
Match the checking method to the consequence: inspect sources, calculations, assumptions, omissions and edge cases.
Why this matters
Generated answers can combine true details, weak inference and invented information in one fluent response.
Review cost determines whether an apparent time-saving remains worthwhile.
The practical bit
Check facts against an authoritative source, recalculate important numbers, compare the answer with the original material and inspect what may have been omitted. Ask for sources only as a discovery aid, then open and verify them yourself.
Create a short checklist for recurring work. If reliable checking takes longer than doing the task conventionally, change the workflow, reduce the scope or do not use AI there.
What it looks like
For a policy summary, compare every material obligation and date against the actual policy. Do not review only whether the prose sounds professional.
For a product comparison, verify current price, warranty and compatibility on primary sources before spending money.
Asking the same model ‘are you sure?’ and treating its second confident answer as independent verification.
Use your judgement
Try it now
- Choose one generated output.
- Identify the three errors that would matter most.
- Name an independent source or test for each error.
Use this in a real situation
Review a research briefingTrace claims, inspect sources and decide what is safe to reuse.Open the practical →Keep this
The checking method is part of the workflow and part of the cost.