The Unreliability of AI When It Comes to Proven Facts
Artificial intelligence has transformed the way we access information. With a simple question, we can receive detailed insights, summaries, explanations, and even advice but there is a crucial truth we must not overlook: AI does not guarantee proven or verified facts. It provides predictions based on patterns in data, not certainty based on evidence.
As AI becomes more widely used especially in research, journalism, education, and advocacy understanding its limitations is essential. Blind trust in AI can spread misinformation, reinforce bias, and undermine credibility.
Why AI Isn’t a Source of Proven Fact
AI models generate answers by estimating what words are most likely to come next based on vast amounts of training data. They do not reason, verify, or fact-check like a human researcher or journalist.
Here’s why AI can be unreliable when certainty is needed:
1. AI Does Not Access Real-Time Data (Unless Connected to Live Sources)
Most AI models work from static training data. That means they may not know about recent events, updated scientific research, or new legislation. Even when connected to the internet, AI must still interpret information and mistakes happen.
2. AI Can “Hallucinate” Information
A troubling issue is AI fabricating sources, statistics, or quotes that sound credible but are entirely fictional. These are known as AI hallucinations, and they can be extremely convincing especially to a reader who is unfamiliar with the topic.
3. AI Has No Understanding of Truth
AI doesn’t know anything. It does not check evidence, evaluate validity, or weigh the reliability of sources. It predicts what answer looks correct not necessarily what is correct.
4. Training Data Can Contain Biases and Errors
If AI learns from flawed or biased texts, it may reproduce those flaws. Without human oversight, AI can inadvertently spread outdated data, misleading claims, or harmful stereotypes.
The Rise of Citizens Using AI to Assess Charitable Organisations
A growing number of people are turning to AI to quickly verify whether a charitable organisation is legitimate before supporting its work. On the surface, this seems sensible but it carries significant risks.
Why People Do It
AI appears fast and objective
It feels like a neutral third party
Many citizens do not know where official charitable organisation registers exist.
The Danger
When AI gets it wrong real organisations can be unfairly labelled as fraudulent, and in some cases, AI has produced entirely invented accusations. This can damage reputations, reduce funding, and harm the very animals or people the charity is trying to help.
Conversely, AI may falsely approve unethical or inactive organisations, as it cannot access up-to-date regulatory information. In both cases, the public is misled and the consequences are real.
Charitable organisation legitimacy must be checked via:
Government databases
Legal documentation, not AI guesses
AI can assist research but it must never be used as the final judge.
The Real-World Consequences of AI Error
When AI-generated content is mistaken for verified fact, it can lead to real-world harm:
Trust in genuine charitiable organistions may be damaged
Donors could unknowingly support fraudulent organisations
Reputations can be destroyed by fabricated claims
AI errors can discourage public support for vital causes
If someone asks AI about a charitable organisation and receives a fabricated negative answer, that impression can spread quickly, especially on social media. Charitable organisations already struggle for visibility; AI misjudgments can silence their work entirely.
How to Use AI Responsibly
AI is a powerful assistant, but it must never replace human judgment, research, and verification. Responsible use requires:
✔ Fact-checking with trusted sources
Academic journals, government registers, government data, peer-reviewed studies, and primary documents must remain the foundation of factual claims.
✔ Treating AI as a starting point not the final answer
AI can help brainstorm, summarise, or explore ideas. But any claim presented as fact must be validated.
✔ Maintaining human oversight
Expert review is essential. AI cannot understand nuance, ethics or accountability. Humans must stay in control.
Final Thought
In a world that moves quickly, AI offers attractive shortcuts but facts cannot be rushed. If accuracy matters especially when public trust and charitable work are involved AI alone is not enough. The future of reliable information relies on a partnership: AI to assist, humans to verify.