4 tips to use AI in a trustworthy way

Tools like ChatGPT can be invaluable for enhancing productivity and creativity. However, to get the most out of it, it’s crucial to use it in a credible and trustworthy way. After taking a course on trustworthy AI use from Vanderbilt University, I wanted to summarize what I learned with you. Here’s how you can leverage tools like ChatGPT effectively by focusing on filtering, ideation, navigation, and expertise.

1. Filtering

What It Is: Filtering with ChatGPT involves giving it clear, factual information and asking it to refine or organize this data for you, rather than asking it to go through a large amount of data.

Why It’s Important:

• Accuracy: Ensures that the information you receive is based on accurate and specific facts.
• Relevance: Helps you focus on what’s important, avoiding unnecessary information.

How to Use It:

• Provide Facts First: Start by supplying ChatGPT with factual data. For example, input specific goals or constraints related to your project.
• Ask for Filtering: Then, ask ChatGPT to filter or refine the provided data to help you make informed decisions.

Example:

• ChatGPT Prompt: “Here are my weekly workout goals: 3 days of strength training, 2 days of cardio, 1 day of flexibility exercises. Help me organize this into a weekly plan.”

2. Ideation

What It Is: Ideation is the process of generating ideas and solutions. ChatGPT can assist in brainstorming and expanding on your initial thoughts. It’s a great way to build off of the ideas and thinking you already have going on.

Why It’s Important:

• Creativity: Helps you think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas.
• Variety: Provides multiple perspectives and options to choose from.

How to Use It:

• Start Broad: Begin with a broad question to gather a range of ideas. Narrow down your focus as you refine your plan.
• Iterative Process: Use the iterative process to build on the ideas generated. Ask follow-up questions to develop and refine these ideas further.

Example:

• ChatGPT Prompt: “Give me five creative ideas for a wellness workshop.”
• Follow-Up: “Expand on the idea of a stress management workshop and suggest interactive activities.”

3. Navigation

What It Is: Navigation with ChatGPT means using it to direct you to credible references and resources that can provide reliable information.

Why It’s Important:

• Efficiency: Saves time by guiding you to the most relevant and credible sources.
• Credibility: Ensures that the information you use is backed by trustworthy references.
• Augmenting Intelligence: ChatGPT should not be seen as a source of facts but as a tool to augment your intelligence and information-gathering process.

How to Use It:

• Ask for Sources: When seeking information, ask ChatGPT to provide references or suggest credible websites.
• Cross-Check: Use the suggested references to verify the information and gain a deeper understanding.

Example:

• ChatGPT Prompt: “What are the best resources for learning about single-leg exercises in the gym?”
• Follow-Up: “Can you provide links to studies or articles that explain the benefits of single-leg exercises?”

4. Expertise

What It Is: Expertise involves using your own knowledge and discretion to evaluate the information provided by ChatGPT. It’s essential not to take everything at face value, especially if you’re not well-versed in the topic. People talk about how tools like ChatGPT can hallucinate and give us wrong information. Making a bunch of information is what tools like these do. It's our responsibility to use our knowledge to make use of the responses we get. For example, a doctor would be able to look at medical advice more critically from ChatGPT than the average person.

Why It’s Important:

• Informed Decisions: Helps you make well-informed decisions based on expert insights.
• Quality Control: Ensures that the information you rely on is accurate and applicable.

How to Use It:

• Critical Evaluation: Assess the information provided by ChatGPT using your own expertise or by consulting with experts in the field.
• Request Clarifications: If unsure, ask ChatGPT to explain or provide more details about the topic.

Example:

• ChatGPT Prompt: “Explain the science behind muscle recovery and suggest best practices.”
• Follow-Up: “What are some recent studies that support these muscle recovery techniques? Provide links to these studies.”

By using these strategies—filtering, ideation, navigation, and expertise—you can use the power of ChatGPT in a credible and trustworthy way. This approach ensures that you get accurate, relevant, and high-quality information that enhances your productivity and helps you achieve your goals.

This blog was made with the support of AI. If you’d like more content on how to use AI, continue to stay tuned with The Reach Series and explore our website!

Take care!

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