Golden Rules When Using AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools to boost creativity, productivity, and problem-solving, but we must use it wisely. Experts emphasize that AI should respect core human values like human rights, dignity, transparency and fairness.

To get the most out of AI and avoid pitfalls, follow these ten golden rules when using AI.

1. Understand AI's Strengths and Limits

AI is a smart assistant, not an all-knowing oracle. It can generate ideas and save time, but it can also make mistakes or "hallucinate" information.

For important decisions (like health or finance), involve real experts – AI can help with research but shouldn't replace human judgment. In short, trust but verify: double- and triple-check AI results.

Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations

2. Communicate Clearly with Prompts

Think of your AI model like a very smart colleague. Give it clear, detailed instructions and examples. OpenAI's guidelines advise: "Be specific, descriptive and as detailed as possible about the desired context, outcome, length, format, style, etc." when you write prompts.

Good prompts (context + specifics) lead to better, more accurate AI responses. This is basically good communication: the more context and guidance you give, the better the AI can help you.

Effective prompt communication strategies

3. Protect Privacy and Data Security

Think twice before typing in addresses, passwords, medical info, or confidential business details: fraudsters and hackers can exploit what you share online.

If you wouldn't post something on social media, don't feed it to an AI chatbot.

— Privacy Security Best Practice

Many free or unvetted AI apps can misuse your data or even train on it without clear consent. Always use well-known, trusted platforms (or approved company tools) and read their privacy policies.

In many jurisdictions, you have rights over your data: by law, designers should only collect the data strictly necessary and get permission for its use.

Practically, this means turning off training or memory features when possible and keeping personal info out of your queries.

Privacy and data security protection measures

4. Always Double-Check AI Outputs

AI can invent facts or confidently give wrong answers. Never copy an AI's work as-is. For every important AI-generated piece—facts, summaries, suggestions—cross-check against reliable sources.

AI should not remove the "ultimate human responsibility".

— UNESCO AI Ethics Guide

Remember, you are accountable for what AI does for you. In practice, this means you stay in control: edit, fact-check and refine the AI's work before publishing or acting on it.

Verification process for AI-generated content

5. Be Aware of Bias and Fairness

AI models learn from human-created data, so they can inherit social biases. This can affect hiring decisions, loan approvals, or even everyday language use.

Rule: think critically about outputs. If an AI keeps suggesting the same gender or race for a job, or if it stereotypes groups, pause and question it.

AI "should treat all people fairly" and systems should not discriminate and must be used equitably.

— White House AI Bill of Rights & Microsoft AI Principles

Recognizing and addressing AI bias and fairness issues

6. Keep a Human in the Loop (Accountability)

AI can automate tasks, but humans must stay in charge. The UNESCO recommendation stresses that AI should never "displace ultimate human responsibility".

In practice, this means designing your workflow so a person reviews or supervises AI results.

Accountability also means keeping records: note when and how you used AI, so you can explain your actions if needed.

Some organizations even require AI projects to be auditable, with trace logs of decisions. This ensures someone can investigate and correct issues, which aligns with principles of transparency and accountability.

Human oversight and accountability in AI systems

7. Use AI Ethically and Legally

Always follow the law and moral guidelines. Do not use AI for prohibited or harmful tasks (for example, creating malware, plagiarizing copyrighted text, or deceiving others).

Respect intellectual property: if AI helps generate an image or article, be careful to give credit when needed and avoid outright copying.

The U.S. AI Bill of Rights emphasizes data privacy and fairness, but it also implies you must keep AI use within ethical bounds.

Many countries are passing AI laws (like the EU's AI Act prioritizes safety and rights). Stay updated on these so you're not unwittingly breaking new regulations.

In short: do the right thing. If a request seems shady or illegal, it probably is. When in doubt, consult a supervisor or legal advisor.

Ethical and legal considerations for AI usage

8. Be Transparent About AI Use

Transparency builds trust. If you are using AI to generate content (articles, reports, code, etc.), consider letting your audience or team know. Explain how AI is assisting (e.g. "This summary was drafted by AI, then edited by me").

People should know when AI systems are being used and how they affect decisions.

— White House AI Blueprint "Notice and Explanation" Principle

For example, if a company uses AI to screen job applicants, candidates should be informed about it.

In practical terms, label AI-generated content, and be clear about data sources. If you adapt someone else's writing with AI, cite the original author. In a work setting, share your AI workflow with colleagues (which AI tools you used and what steps you took).

Transparency practices in AI implementation

9. Keep Learning and Stay Informed

AI is evolving fast, so keep your skills and knowledge up to date. Follow reputable news (technology blogs, official AI forums, or international guidelines like UNESCO's recommendations) to learn about new risks and best practices.

Public education and training are key to safe AI use.

— UNESCO AI Recommendation on "AI Literacy"

Here's how to practice continual learning:

By learning together, we build a community that uses AI wisely. After all, all users share responsibility for ensuring AI benefits everyone.

Continuous learning and staying informed about AI developments

10. Use Trusted Tools and Follow Guidelines

Finally, stick with reputable AI tools and official guidance. Download AI apps only from official sources (e.g. the legitimate website or app store) to avoid malware or fraud.

In the workplace, use company-approved AI platforms that meet security and privacy standards.

Support AI vendors that commit to ethical development. For example, prefer tools with clear data policies and ethical commitments (as many big tech companies now publish). Use built-in safety features: some platforms allow disabling data training or setting content filters.

And always back up your own data independently of the AI service, so you're not locked out if something goes wrong.

Selecting trusted AI tools and following best practice guidelines

Key Takeaways

In summary, AI is a powerful partner when used responsibly. By following these ten golden rules – respecting privacy, checking facts, staying ethical and informed, and keeping humans in control – you can harness AI's benefits safely.

As technology advances, these principles will help ensure AI remains a force for good.