Responsible & safe use

AI is a helpful tool, but using it well means using it safely. Three habits keep you and other people protected.

1. Protect private information

Whatever you type into an AI tool may be stored or seen by the company that runs it. So treat it like a public place, not a private diary.

• Do not paste passwords, bank or card numbers, or full ID numbers.
• Do not share other people's personal details — a student's health record, a patient's file, someone's home address.
• If you need help with a real document, remove the names and private details first, or use made-up examples.

2. Verify what the AI tells you

Remember, AI predicts likely words — it can sound sure and still be wrong. Before you rely on an answer:

• Check important facts against a trusted source (an official website, a book, a person who knows).
• Be extra careful with numbers, dates, names, and anything about health, money, or the law.
• If the AI gives a source, confirm the source is real — sometimes it invents them.

3. Know when NOT to rely on AI

For some decisions, AI can help you think — but a qualified human must make the final call. Do not let AI be the last word on:

• Medical, legal, or financial decisions that affect someone's health, rights, or money.
• Emergencies — contact real emergency services, not a chatbot.
• Anything where a wrong answer could seriously hurt someone.

The rule to remember: AI helps you do the work; you stay responsible for the result. You are always the human in charge.