beginner 12 min

AI safety for normal users

Simple rules for chatbots and image tools if you are not an engineer and not trying to become one.

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Goal

Use a consumer AI chatbot without handing it passwords, private documents, or anything you would not put on a postcard.

This is literacy for ordinary users. It is not career advice and not a prompt-engineering course.

  1. Assume the vendor may store or review prompts. Treat the box like email to a company.
  2. Never paste passwords, one-time codes, bank details, or unreleased work documents.
  3. Turn off training / “improve the model” if the product offers that toggle.
  4. Do not trust medical, legal, or tax answers. Use them as a draft, then check a real source.
  5. If a tool asks to connect your mail or drive, skip it unless you understand what it can read.

Steps

Stub. Keep the tone non-expert.

Pitfalls

Done

  • Training / data-share toggle is set the way you want.
  • You can name three things you will not paste into a prompt.

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