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Ethical AI: Using AI for Your Research

Evaluate AI Output

AI tools can be incredibly helpful, but they're not infallible. They can make mistakes or misunderstand things, just like a genie might grant a wish that goes awry. It's important to remember that AI is a tool, and like any tool, it needs to be used with care and understanding.

A sleek, old-fashioned, dark blue Aladdin's lamp with thick black smoke emanating from its opening, drawn in a playful, cartoony anime style

Fig. 5. A sleek, old-fashioned, dark blue genie's lamp with thick black smoke emanating from its opening, drawn in a playful, cartoony anime style." DALL·E, version 2024-09-17, 17 Sep. 2024, openai.com/dall-e.

 

Think critically about AI's response to your prompt. Here are a few questions you might ask yourself.

  • Was the output accurate and relevant to your task? 
  • Did the AI provide any unexpected or useful insights? 
  • Were there any biases, inaccuracies, or inconsistencies in the output? 
  • How will you validate or verify the information provided by the AI? 
  • What are the limitations of using AI for this task, and how will you address them? 
  • Is this an acceptable use of AI, an unacceptable use, or a gray area? If it's in the gray, should I still use it?
⚠ Use AI at your own risk.⚠
Remember: it makes mistakes, and ultimately, you are responsible for your own actions and integrity.
Honor your risk tolerance, and when in doubt, check with your instructor.

Cross-Reference Information*

AI tools can be incredibly helpful for summarizing information and identifying key themes, but it's crucial to remember that they are not infallible. Always cross-reference AI-generated data with credible sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Here are some resources to help you verify information:

Google Scholar Search
Google Book Search