What to Do When AI Gets It Wrong
AI is impressive, but it's not perfect. Sometimes it makes mistakes, gives outdated information, or confidently states something that just isn't true. Knowing how to handle these situations is an important skill.
What You'll Learn
How to recognize when AI is wrong and what to do about it.
Why This Matters
Blind trust in AI can lead to embarrassing mistakes or bad decisions. Knowing when to verify information protects you and makes you a smarter AI user.
Types of AI Mistakes
Hallucinations (Making Things Up)
AI sometimes invents information that sounds plausible but is false.
Example: You ask about a book, and AI describes a book that doesn't exist - complete with author name, plot summary, and publication date.
Why it happens: AI predicts what words should come next. Sometimes those predictions create fictional "facts."
Outdated Information
AI has a knowledge cutoff date. It doesn't know about recent events.
Example: Asking "Who won the World Cup?" might get last year's winner, not this year's.
Why it happens: AI was trained on data up to a certain date and doesn't have access to new information.
Confident Errors
AI states wrong information with complete confidence.
Example: "The capital of Australia is Sydney" (It's actually Canberra)
Why it happens: AI doesn't actually "know" things - it predicts likely responses. Popular misconceptions can slip through.
Context Confusion
AI misunderstands what you're asking about.
Example: You ask about "Apple's new features" and AI talks about fruit instead of the tech company.
Why it happens: AI interprets based on the words you use. Without clear context, it might guess wrong.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be extra cautious when AI:
- States specific numbers - Statistics, dates, and figures should be verified
- Claims certainty about obscure topics - Confidence doesn't equal correctness
- Provides information about real people - Details about non-famous individuals are often wrong
- Gives recent information - Current events may be beyond its knowledge
- Provides links - AI sometimes invents URLs that don't work
What to Do When You Suspect an Error
Step 1: Ask AI to Double-Check
"Are you sure about that? Can you verify this information?"
Sometimes AI will catch its own mistake.
Step 2: Ask for Sources
"Where did you get that information?"
AI can't actually cite sources (it doesn't browse), but this question often prompts it to be more careful.
Step 3: Verify Independently
For anything important, check with a reliable source:
- Official websites
- Wikipedia (for general facts)
- News sites (for current events)
- Professionals (for advice)
Step 4: Correct and Move On
"Actually, the correct answer is X. Let's continue with that in mind."
AI will accept your correction and adjust.
A Real Example
You: "When was the Eiffel Tower built?"
AI: "The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 for the World's Fair in Paris."
You: (Quick Google confirms this is correct - great!)
You: "Who is the current Prime Minister of the UK?"
AI: (Names someone who may no longer be in office)
You: (Quick check shows this is outdated)
You: "Actually, the current PM is [correct name]. Thanks for the other information though!"
Topics Where Extra Caution is Needed
Health and Medical Information
- Always consult a real doctor
- AI can provide general info, not diagnoses
- Medication information should be verified with pharmacists
Legal Advice
- Laws vary by location and change frequently
- AI can explain concepts but can't give legal advice
- Consult a lawyer for real legal matters
Financial Information
- Numbers should always be verified
- Tax laws are complex and location-specific
- Investment advice from AI should not be followed blindly
Current Events
- AI's knowledge has a cutoff date
- Breaking news is not in its database
- Sports scores, stock prices, and weather are unavailable
Try It Yourself
Test AI's limits by asking:
- "What happened in the news yesterday?" (Watch for knowledge cutoff)
- "Tell me about [a very obscure topic]" (Watch for potential hallucinations)
- "What's the exact population of my city?" (Watch for round numbers or estimates)
Notice how AI handles this question about current information. Does it acknowledge its limitations?
Pro Tip
When in doubt, ask AI: "What's your knowledge cutoff date?" It will tell you, helping you understand what information might be outdated.
Common Questions
Q: Should I stop trusting AI if it makes mistakes?
A: No! AI is still incredibly useful. Just verify important information. Think of AI like a knowledgeable friend - helpful but not infallible.
Q: Can I report errors to make AI better?
A: Most AI tools have feedback buttons (thumbs up/down). Use them! Your feedback helps improve future responses.
Q: What if AI argues with me when I correct it?
A: Stand your ground. Say "I've verified this is correct" and move on. AI will usually accept your correction.
Q: Why doesn't AI just say "I don't know"?
A: AI is designed to be helpful and tends to provide answers rather than refusing. This is a design choice, and tools are improving at acknowledging uncertainty.
What's Next
Now that you know how to have conversations, ask good questions, and handle errors, you're ready to start using AI for real tasks. In the next module, we'll explore using AI for writing - one of its most powerful uses.