- What information was used to train the model?
- Learn more about freely available datasets that anyone can use to train AI.
- Does the output have links?
- Have you checked that the links work?
- Does the information at that link match the citation you were given?
- Who authored the linked resource, and are they a reputable source?
- Do they provide a balanced viewpoint?
- Where can I find supporting evidence to back up GenAI's claims? Verify that GenAI is correct by answering the following:
- When I compare my supporting evidence to the answer from GenAI, was the GenAI response accurate?
- Did GenAI miss an important detail?
- Would I add anything?
Accuracy - Verify that the information provided is true and correct. : Verify that the information provided is true and correct.
Context - Ensure the answer fits the specific context or scenario you've presented. : Ensure the answer fits the specific context or scenario you've presented.
- Is the answer missing some details that you can provide that may help produce a better answer? If not, try revising your prompt with more details.
- Would it provide it a better answer if you include the who, what, when, where, why and how in your prompt?
Clarity - Check if the answer is clear and understandable. : Check if the answer is clear and understandable.
- Are there words that you would not use that you can replace?
- Is some content organized in a way that makes it hard to read or understand the point?
- Is the content repetitive?
Up-to-date - Confirm that the information is current and reflects the latest data or events. : Confirm that the information is current and reflects the latest data or events.
- Enter the question, "When was your last information updated?"
- Do an extra search to verify that you are not missing more current information (see Accuracy) and edit your output as needed.
Relevance - Determine if the response directly addresses your question or task. : Determine if the response directly addresses your question or task.
- Did you use the best tool designed for your task?
- Does it answer your question?
- Does it overexplain, or include unrelated topics or unnecessary information?
- Do you need to alter the prompt?
- Do you need to edit the results yourself?
- Is the output formatted as expected (e.g., bullet points instead of paragraphs)?
- If you asked for code, does the output generated work? Have you tested it?
Attribution - Determine what kind of attribution you need to provide. : Determine what kind of attribution you need to provide.
- How much of your content was created by artificial intelligence?
- Did you clearly indicate your use of GenAI?
- Did you provide enough detail about use as required by your guidelines?
- Did you include in-text citations for anything produced by GenAI?
- Did you cite the use of GenAI correctly based on your selected citation style? See our citing generative AI help guide for more information.
- Do you need to disclose your collaboration with GenAI by using labels? A suggested resource is Martine Peter's icons for the transparent use of artificial intelligence.
- Do you need a disclosure statement about how you used artificial intelligence in your project overall? Here is an example of a disclosure statement from Western Canadian Deans of Graduate Studies Working Group(2023): This [work] was created through a synergy between human skills and AI algorithms. Specifically, [Generative AI tool name] was used to find relevant material and suggest high-level categories for analysis. The final document was comprehensively reviewed and edited by our team. Each element was written by our team, with copy-editing and phrasing help through [Generative AI tool name]. The use of AI in this manner is consistent with the guidelines and recommendations provided to us by our instructor.
Thoroughness - Assess if the output covers all aspects of the question without omitting critical information. : Assess if the output covers all aspects of the question without omitting critical information.
GenAI outputs may be superficial or miss key information. If you are working on a project that allows you to use GenAI, review the requirements, guidelines, or rubrics, and cross-reference with the GenAI outputs and ask yourself:
- Are you missing any aspects?
Equity (Bias Check) - Consider whether the answer presents a balanced viewpoint or contains bias. : Consider whether the answer presents a balanced viewpoint or contains bias.
- Is the output reinforcing any stereotypes?
- Is the output skewed towards portraying a group of people a certain way?
- Is the output trying to persuade you of a certain viewpoint?
- Is it presenting an opinion or anecdote as fact?
- For images: Why did that specific image come up?
- What ideas do the image reinforce?
Legal - Ensure the information, use or advice complies with applicable laws, policies, and regulations. : Ensure the information, use or advice complies with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
- Are you following the policies or guidelines for artificial intelligence use set out by your institution or organization, including privacy and copyright guidelines?
- If you're putting information into a GenAI system, did you write it yourself?
- Is the information potentially confidential or private such as transcripts, emails or student work?
- Is the information proprietary or does it belong to someone else?
- If so, have you secured formal permission (such as a written contract) to use?
- Are you removing any personal or identifying information (such as names, addresses, birthdates etc.) before putting that content into a GenAI system?
- If you're using an AI tool in research, or did you disclose it in the ethics application?
- Did you disclose it to participants?
- Did you disclose it to co-authors or collaborators?
Ethical - Evaluate if the response and if the use of the response adheres to ethical standards and considerations. : Evaluate if the response and if the use of the response adheres to ethical standards and considerations.
- Are you allowed to use generative artificial intelligence? For what purposes?
- Do you need to ask for approval to use generative artificial intelligence?
- Do you need to ask for consent from others to use GenAI? (for use in a study, or transcribing audio files of oral stories, or other group members etc.)
- Do you need to credit the use of GenAI? (see Attribution)
- Will you face legal or reputational damage if someone found out you used GenAI?
- Are you able and willing to take responsibility for any misinformation or inaccurate information provided by GenAI on your behalf?