AI & ChatGPT for Beginners

Learn

The cost of being wrong determines the level of review needed. A social media caption may only require an editorial check; an electrical isolation, medication decision or legal obligation needs qualified professional judgement and the appropriate formal process. AI explanations can be educational, but they must not substitute for authorised safety procedures, official requirements or professional sign-off.

Create an escalation rule: if the answer affects safety, health, legal rights, finances or personal opportunities, identify the qualified decision-maker and verify the controlling source. Record the review. AI should help formulate better questions, list checks and explain terminology; it should not silently approve work.

Worked example

A fictional worker asks AI whether a damaged lifting sling can be used. The correct workplace response is not to accept a chatbot's approval. Remove the equipment from use under site rules and have an authorised competent person assess it using applicable procedures.

Practice

Rank five invented AI tasks from low to high consequence: writing a birthday card, preparing a budget estimate, selecting a job applicant, interpreting a medical result and drafting a technical safety instruction. Name the human reviewer and reliable source needed for the last three.

Key takeaway

The more consequential the task, the stronger the evidence and human oversight required.