The Basics of AI Safety

Vol. 3| 1.10.25

1. Don’t input personal information.

Avoid sharing sensitive or personally identifiable information when using AI tools. These systems often store or process data in ways you cannot fully control, which may expose you or others to privacy risks. Refrain from entering confidential student data, passwords, or personal details into AI applications.

2. Use it for language tasks, ideas, explanations, and editing.

AI excels in tasks such as generating text, brainstorming ideas, summarizing complex concepts, and refining written work. Leverage these strengths to support learning and teaching activities, but ensure the output aligns with academic standards. Use AI as a supplement to human creativity and understanding rather than a replacement.

3. Verify, specify, and clarify.

AI-generated responses may include inaccuracies, ambiguities, or overly generalized statements. Always verify the information provided by cross-referencing trusted sources. Be specific in your prompts to guide the AI toward a useful response, and don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions to clarify unclear or incomplete answers.

4. Ask for citations (and make sure they’re real).

When using AI for research or academic purposes, request citations to support its claims. However, double-check the validity of the citations, as AI tools sometimes generate fictitious or irrelevant references. Trustworthy sources are critical for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring reliable learning outcomes. Read more about AI safety at Commonsense.org.