7. Check an Answer Without Becoming an Expert

Part Two: Judge What AI Gives You

Check the source, date, exact wording, numbers and claim that carry the most weight.

Estimated time: 10 minutes. Last reviewed: 11 August 2026.

What you need to know

This page stands alone. No previous AI knowledge is required. You need access to an AI assistant only for the activity.

Learning outcome: By the end, you will verify the most consequential part of an answer without checking every sentence.

The lesson

Ask for sources, then open them: a citation is a lead, not verification.

Check that the source supports the exact claim and is current enough.

Use independent sources or qualified help when the stakes demand it.

Concentrate on fragile details

Names and identities.
Prices, dates, doses, telephone numbers and serial codes.
Counts, positions, chart values, axes and units.
Claims carrying your name or professional reputation.

Use accessible context

Cross-check the filename, existing alt text, caption, page title, nearby text and link destination. Ask whether a claim came from that context or from the item itself.

Try it

Choose one factual claim. Find the original or authoritative source, check its date and write one sentence explaining exactly what it supports.

Checkpoint

You can show what the source confirms and distinguish it from what remains uncertain.

Previous: 6. What Happens If It Is Wrong?
Course contents
Next: 8. Choose the Right Kind of Image Tool

About this course

Confident with AI was created by Charli-Jo Tyrer in association with the Technology Association of Visually Impaired People (TAVIP).

Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.