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.

In fact, research shows AI search tools are wrong about 60% of the time on average. Always treat AI outputs as drafts, not final answers.

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.

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.

Instead of vague requests (“Write about sports”), try: “Write a short, friendly blog post about why daily exercise boosts mood, in a conversational tone.” 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.

3. Protect Privacy and Data Security

Never share sensitive personal or company data with AI tools unless you are absolutely sure it’s safe. Think twice before typing in addresses, passwords, medical info, or confidential business details: fraudsters and hackers can exploit what you share online.

For example, if you wouldn’t post something on social media, don’t feed it to an AI chatbot.

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.

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.
A simple fact-check loop might look like:

• Compare the AI’s answers to official data or expert sources.
• Run outputs through plagiarism or grammar checks (AI sometimes mimics text verbatim, causing copyright issues).
• Use your own expertise or intuition: if a claim sounds unbelievable, look it up.

Remember, you are accountable for what AI does for you. The UNESCO AI Ethics guide stresses human oversight: AI should not remove the “ultimate human responsibility”.

In practice, this means you stay in control: edit, fact-check and refine the AI’s work before publishing or acting on it.

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.

The White House’s AI Bill of Rights explicitly says systems should not discriminate and must be used equitably. Likewise, tech leaders (e.g. Microsoft) list fairness as a core principle: AI “should treat all people fairly”.

To follow this rule: use diverse examples and perspectives when you use AI. Test the AI with scenarios involving different demographics to see if results change unfairly.

If you spot bias, refine your prompt or switch tools. Whenever possible, choose AI systems that promote inclusivity and address bias (many now have fairness checklists and bias audits built in).

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.

For example, if you use an AI chatbot for customer service, train staff to monitor those chats and take over if something goes wrong. If you use AI to flag spam or analyze data, double-check that the filters work correctly and adjust them as needed.

Always plan a “fail-safe” or fallback: if AI makes an unusual suggestion or fails to understand, the human operator can intervene or shut it down.

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.

7. Use AI Ethically and Legally

Just because you can ask an AI something doesn’t mean you should. 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.

For instance, before using AI for sensitive work, check compliance requirements: healthcare and finance often have extra rules (HIPAA, GDPR, etc.). 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.

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”).

The White House blueprint even includes a “Notice and Explanation” principle: people should know when AI systems are being used and how they affect decisions.

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).

This openness not only meets ethical standards, but it helps others learn and spot any issues early. Remember, accountability means standing by your outputs and giving credit where it’s due.

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. The UNESCO recommendation highlights “AI literacy”: public education and training are key to safe AI use.

Here’s how to practice continual learning:

• Take online courses or webinars on AI safety and ethics.
• Read up on new features of the AI tools you use.
• Share tips and resources with friends or colleagues (e.g. how to write better prompts or spot AI bias).
• Teach younger users (or kids) that AI can help but should be questioned.

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

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.

>>> You may need: Tips for Using AI Effectively for Beginners

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.