Wired tests how well AI chatbots can fact-check information

In short: As more people use AI chatbots for answers, WIRED looked at whether those tools can actually fact-check information reliably.

What's going on

Nearly half of Americans say they use AI to find information and generate ideas, according to a Gallup survey cited by WIRED. Many people are turning to chatbots because they feel easier to use than searching the web. WIRED also points to frustration with social media and with search results that can feel cluttered or low quality.

WIRED’s article looks at a simple question, can AI do fact-checking. A fact-checker at WIRED tested AI systems by treating them like a helper for verifying claims. Fact-checking means checking whether a statement is true by comparing it with solid sources, like official documents, research, and direct quotes (like checking a receipt against what is on your bank statement).

The piece highlights a core problem with chatbots as information tools. They can sound confident and helpful even when they are wrong, and they do not always show where an answer came from in a way a reader can double-check. That can make them useful for brainstorming, but risky as a final source of truth.

What to watch

Expect more people to use chatbots as a starting point for learning, especially when regular search feels frustrating. The key issue is whether AI tools will make it easier to see and verify sources, so users can confirm answers instead of trusting a smooth-sounding response.

Source: Wired