AI can generate compelling guidance about career moves, but it has no stake in whether that advice works for your actual situation; fact-checking AI counsel means going back to real data about your industry, testing assumptions against people who know the field, and staying skeptical of confident-sounding advice. This due diligence is especially important when making bets on your future.
Think of fact-checking AI responses like the editor of a newspaper checking a reporter's work. The reporter (AI) does the research and writes the story, but it still needs verification because mistakes happen. Your job is the editor—you spot-check the important details.
You don't need to verify everything. If an AI suggests a recipe variation or recommends a hobby, verification is optional—you're just exploring ideas anyway. But if the AI gives you health information, financial advice, or facts that will affect a decision, verification is essential.
For health information: Compare what the AI says to information from trusted sources like Mayo Clinic, WebMD, or your doctor's office. If the AI recommends a treatment or describes a symptom, verify it matches what medical websites say.
For facts and statistics: Use Google to search the claim. Look for multiple sources saying the same thing. If you can't find the fact reported elsewhere, the AI probably hallucinated it.
For recommendations: Check reviews, ask trusted people, or verify credentials. If an AI suggests a doctor or service, make sure it actually exists and has good reviews.
Pay attention to how the AI phrases things. "Based on current research, this is thought to..." is more honest than "This is definitely the treatment for you." AI that uses absolutes ("definitely," "always," "the only way") without nuance is being less careful.
Some AI tools like Perplexity actually cite sources, making verification easier. It shows you where information came from, so you can check those sources directly.
Don't become paranoid. AI gives accurate information far more often than it doesn't. But for anything that affects your health, safety, or significant decisions, taking five minutes to verify is smart thinking, not paranoia. Your doctor or a trusted expert will appreciate that you're being thoughtful about information.
Try this: Ask an AI for three facts about something you know well. Verify each one using Google or another source. You'll probably find most are correct, which builds confidence. When you find an error, you've learned when to be skeptical. This teaches you instinctively when verification is needed.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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