Learning Library · Level 1: AI Basics

1.2 Why AI Sometimes Gets Things Wrong

Read by Jack. Pressing play on a video in the library loads YouTube’s player, and YouTube counts that play.

Why AI sometimes writes something wrong and sounds sure of it, and three habits that catch it.

Hallucination, in plain English

Read what Jack says in 1.2

Why does AI get things wrong?

AI uses patterns to write answers. Sometimes it gives the right answer. Other times, it fills in a detail that is wrong or made up.

It might give you the wrong date or include a fact that is not true. People call this a hallucination.

The hard part is that AI can sound sure of itself even when it is wrong.

Three habits can help you catch mistakes.

First, read anything before you send it.

Second, check important names, numbers, and dates.

Third, ask where an answer came from when something seems surprising.

For example, if your agent used a PDF you shared, it can tell you the page number. You can open that page and check.

Archie also reminds you to check answers before you act on them. Replies and calendar changes wait for your approval.

You make the final decision.

Next: how to ask AI for what you need.