A practical workflow for checking AI answers, validating citations, and separating useful guidance from unsupported claims.
Identify the claims that matter
Break a long response into individual claims. Start with dates, numbers, legal rules, quotations, and claims that may affect a decision.
Open the original source
Do not stop at a link preview. Open the cited page, find the relevant passage, and check that it supports the exact claim.
Check dates and context
Look for publication dates, country or jurisdiction, and whether the source describes a proposal, a current rule, or an older version.
Compare independent evidence
For important claims, find a second reliable source. Prefer original documentation, research, public datasets, or the organization responsible for the information.
Record uncertainty
Note what was verified and what remains uncertain. Ask the AI to revise its answer using sources you provide, then check the revision.
Editorial note: This guide is for general educational purposes. Verify important claims with authoritative sources before publication or action.