6.2. Dealing with risks and limitations

In the previous section, we listed potential risks and limitations. But how can you deal with these risks and limitations? Below are several actions you can take:

Risks & limitations

Actions

1. Hallucinations
  • Always check sources: ask for a DOI or URL and verify that it actually exists.
  • Use fact-checking tools: combine AI output with Google Scholar, LibSearch, PubMed, or Consensus.
2. Bias and discrimination
  • Be alert to stereotypes: ask yourself who is being represented, and who is not.
  • Use diverse prompts: ask AI for perspectives from different cultures or genders.
  • Compare multiple outputs: have AI generate several versions and compare the differences.
3. Black box-problem
  • Ask for explanations: have AI explain why it gives a certain answer.
  • Use explainable AI tools: some tools (such as LIME or SHAP) provide insight into decision logic.
  • Keep thinking for yourself: see AI as a suggestion, not as the truth.
4. Environmental-impact
  • Use AI consciously: ask yourself whether this prompt is truly necessary.
  • Combine prompts: ask one good question instead of ten separate ones.
5. Overestimation of creativity
  • Use AI as a source of inspiration, not as a final product.
  • Add your own voice: rewrite AI output in your own style.
  • Experiment with unexpected combinations: let AI assist you, but you remain the director.
  • Use AI to train your thinking: let AI provide explanations and improve them yourself.
6. Disinformation and manipulation
  • Verify visual material: ask AI whether an image was generated.
  • Stay critical of viral content: consider who created it and why they did so.
7. The concentration of power in Big Tech
  • Use open source models as an alternative. Example: Mistral.
  • Support public AI initiatives, such as Hugging Face or EduGenAI.
  • Stay informed about AI policy through your university and/or the EU AI Act.
8. Academic integrity
  • Be transparent: always state whether and how you used AI.
  • Use AI as a sparring partner, not as a ghostwriter.
  • Check faculty rules: not every faculty allows the use of AI.