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As Generative AI tools increasingly make their way into the workflows of students and researchers, it's important to be aware of AI's limitations and learn how to avoid using false information in your work.
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI (GenAI) is a form of machine learning. Large language models, like ChatGPT, are fed vast amounts of data and then generate output based on this information. It is very important to understand that GenAI does not think, create, or understand. It predicts. Think of it as an advanced autocomplete.
Fabricated Misinformation
GenAI is designed to respond, not to research. As such, it has been known to confidently invent facts, quotes, and sources that sound real but are actually fake. Chatbots can sometimes cite convincing titles for articles, books, or websites that don't actually exist.
Why does this happen?
AI only "learns" from the information provided to it. That information can be incomplete, biased, false, or absent entirely. Because GenAI predicts the next word, image pixel, or sound byte based on patterns rather than reality, if it lacks factual data, it will invent something statistically probable but not necessarily accurate. GenAI is also specifically programmed to engage with users, generating an answer or result for every prompt, regardless of whether it has the necessary information to produce an accurate reply.
Why Should You Care?
Obviously, if you're using GenAI for research or schoolwork, you don't want misinformation to find its way into your assignments. Always double-check anything GenAI creates, especially if it's presented as a fact. If it cites a resource, make sure that the resource actually exists!
Verifying GenAI Citations
Follow these strategies to ensure any resources cited in output from GenAI are real:
- Search for article titles in Google Scholar
- Search for the book, article, or journal title in WorldCat
- If it cites a website, visit the URL to ensure it's both a real site and a trustworthy source
Still unsure? Ask a librarian! It's literally our job to help you find accurate, trustworthy, and relevant information.
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