AI Output Verification Template
A structured template for fact-checking AI-generated content before you trust or use it. Use this anytime AI gives you something with specific claims, citations, or numbers.
When to Use This
You don't need to verify everything AI writes. Creative work where you're the judge (brainstorming, drafting an email) is fine to skim. But run AI output through this template anytime it includes:
- Specific facts, dates, names, or statistics
- Citations of articles, studies, books, or court cases
- Math or calculated answers
- Health, legal, financial, or safety advice
- Anything you're going to put your name on (school work, project content, public posts)
The Template
Fill out one of these for each piece of AI output you need to verify. Use the print button at the bottom to print a paper copy if that works better for you.
List every fact, number, citation, or specific claim. Be granular.
Search for each claim in at least one trusted second source. Mark what you found.
Read AI's reasoning carefully. Does it actually hold together?
Whose voice is this written from? What's missing?
Quick Verification Cheat Sheet
If filling out a full template is overkill for the situation, run this 30-second check:
- Is anything specific? If AI gave you a number, date, name, or citation — verify it.
- Does it sound suspicious-confident? AI is most likely to hallucinate when it's specific and certain about something obscure.
- Would a wrong answer matter? If yes, verify. If no (creative brainstorming), skim and move on.
- Am I going to use this where someone else will see it? If yes, double-check.