AI outputs can be prone to misinformation and bias. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the accuracy of AI-generated content using lateral reading strategies. The strategies outlined here can help you to do so.
- Carefully review the AI-generated content to identify specific facts, statistics, statements, and references that should be verified.
- Cross-check these pieces of information are true using reliable sources. If you cannot verify the information, the output is not reliable.
- Look for multiple sources that support the AI claims. Just one source supporting a piece of information is not enough.
- Evaluate the credibility of the sources you use to verify information generated by AI.
- Verify citations provided by AI. Sometimes GenAI creates false citations. Search for the exact paper in an academic database. If you can't find the paper, it may not exist. Ask a librarian to help, as needed!
Lateral Reading & SIFT are useful techniques when evaluating AI generated content.