# Using AI wisely: privacy, bias, judgement · AI in Bed

Beginner level · 5 min · https://www.aiinbed.com/learn/beginner/using-ai-safely

*The four habits that keep you in charge when you use AI: guard your data, expect bias, check facts, and own the decision.*

You don't need to understand transformers to use AI responsibly. You need a few habits, the same way you don't need to be a mechanic to drive safely.

### Guard your data

What you type into an AI service may be stored, reviewed by staff or used to improve future models, depending on the service and your settings.

Read the privacy settings once, and keep medical details, passwords and other people's private information out unless you're sure how it's handled.

### Expect bias

Models learn from human writing, which carries human stereotypes. Ask for "a picture of a doctor" or "a CEO" and you may see the same narrow picture again and again.

When an answer is about people, ask yourself who might be missing or misdescribed.

**Quick check:** Why might an AI image generator keep drawing the same kind of person for "a nurse"?

A. It's been told to by law
B. It learned from data that over-represents certain people in that role
C. Nurses all look the same
D. Image models can only draw one face

Answer: B. Models reflect patterns in their training data, including stereotypes. That's bias in, bias out.

### Check what matters

For health, money and legal questions, use AI to understand the topic and prepare questions, then confirm with a trusted source or a professional.

### Own the decision

"The AI said so" isn't a reason. If you act on an answer, you're responsible for it. Use AI as an adviser, never as the person in charge.

**Quick check:** Which is the healthiest way to use AI for a health worry?

A. Follow its advice instead of seeing a doctor
B. Use it to understand terms and prepare questions, then talk to a professional
C. Never mention health to an AI under any circumstances
D. Ask three chatbots and go with the majority

Answer: B. AI is great for understanding and preparing. Decisions about your health belong with you and a qualified professional.

**Key takeaways**

- Know what happens to the data you share.
- Expect bias, especially in answers about people.
- Verify high-stakes facts and keep the final decision yours.

**Go deeper (free sources)**

- [Ethics of AI (free course)](https://ethics-of-ai.mooc.fi/) by University of Helsinki
- [AI Risk Management Framework](https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework) by NIST