An AI assistant states: “The first computer programmer was Alan Turing in 1945.” It gives the answer instantly, uses formal language and sounds completely certain.
Which details make the answer seem believable?
Does confidence make the claim true?
What would you check before using it in schoolwork?
Assessment checkpoint A · Diagnose reasoningLook for pupils distinguishing presentation from evidence. The historical claim is false: Ada Lovelace is widely credited with publishing the first algorithm intended for a machine in 1843.
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What you will learn
ExplainExplain why a generative AI system can produce a plausible but false claim.
ApplyUse provenance, expertise, evidence and corroboration to verify information.
EvaluateReach and justify a proportionate decision: accept, reject or investigate further.
Success criteria
DevelopingI can identify warning signs in a claim.
SecureI can compare independent evidence and explain my verdict.
MasteryI can judge both reliability and limitations, then design a stronger verification method.
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Learn: a verification method
12 mins
Generative AI predicts likely sequences from patterns in training data. It is designed to produce plausible output, not to guarantee truth. A fabricated or incorrect output is often called a hallucination.
Provenance = where it came fromExpertise = relevant authorityEvidence = support for a claimCorroboration = independent agreementCurrency = how up to date it is
1 · TraceCan you identify the original author, organisation, date and source?
2 · CheckDoes the source show evidence, and does it have relevant expertise?
3 · CorroborateDo independent, authoritative sources support the same conclusion?
Key principle: three websites repeating the same copied mistake are not three independent sources.
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Verification Lab: make the call
20 mins
For each case, judge the available evidence. Choose Accept provisionally, Reject or Investigate further. You must be able to defend the decision.
Digital Evidence Desk
Credibility comes from evidence—not confidence, popularity or polished design.
Read Case 1 and choose a verdict.
Assessment checkpoint B · Hinge questionIf two articles agree, has a claim been corroborated? Not necessarily: pupils must establish that the sources are independent and that both trace back to credible evidence.
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Think deeper: when evidence conflicts
12 mins
Scenario:
A 40-second video appears to show a headteacher announcing that school will close tomorrow. The voice and face look convincing. The account is new. The school website and verified social account contain no announcement.
AnalyseIdentify evidence for and against authenticity.
ActState what a pupil should do next—and what they must not do.
EscalateIdentify who can confirm the information authoritatively.
Assessment checkpoint C · Proportionate actionStrong responses separate “not yet verified” from “definitely fake”, avoid amplifying the video and use an official school communication channel.
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Independent challenge: design a verification protocol
15 mins
Your school is considering allowing pupils to use generative AI during research. Design a six-step protocol that pupils must follow before including an AI-generated claim in assessed work.
MinimumInclude provenance, evidence, currency and independent corroboration.
DecisionDefine when to accept, reject or investigate further.
AccountabilityExplain how pupils should acknowledge AI use and preserve the sources they checked.
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Review: prove what you understand
8 mins
0 of 80 words
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