Module 4: Safe use in NZ and your next steps
Check answers against evidence
Allow 4 minutes.
AI can invent facts and references. This is often called a hallucination. NZ Digital Government's guidance calls for checks on accuracy and reliability. The guidance is written for the public service; its checking habits are also useful for a small business.
Use four checks
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Facts | Match names, dates, amounts and conditions to the original. |
| Sources | Open cited links. Check they exist, are current, and support the claim. |
| Meaning | Look for missing exclusions, qualifications or unanswered questions. |
| Decision | Send high-impact content to the person qualified to approve it. |
Asking Claude "Are you sure?" is not independent verification. For a quote, use the approved price and scope. For a policy, use the current approved policy. For legal or tax questions, use qualified review and authoritative sources.
Try it: find the error
An invented builder's source says: "Start proposed for Tuesday next week, subject to approval. Ceiling excluded. Price not confirmed."
The draft says: "We will start on Tuesday next week and paint the whole room for the agreed price."
Identify three problems before you read the answer below.
Answer: The start became a guarantee. "Whole room" may include the excluded ceiling. "Agreed price" invents an agreement. A checked draft preserves the proposed date, the approval condition, the exclusion and the missing price.
Tip: A second AI answer can contain the same error. Check the original evidence and involve a responsible person.