How do I fact-check AI search results?
Overview
Studies consistently show that students are using AI chatbots and search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. But we know that AI makes mistakes. So, how do we teach students not to get fooled? In this lesson, we’ll introduce students to the skill of lateral reading (Wineburg & McGrew, 2017) as one approach to fact-checking the information they get from AI.
- AI & Social Studies
- 60 minutes

Digital Materials
Objectives
After this experience, students will be able to
- Define and apply lateral reading to research a topic
- Evaluate AI responses for accuracy
Questions explored
- How do I fact-check AI search results?
- How can I prompt AI to give me better information?
- What strategies can I use to fact-check any source?
Key Terms
Lateral Reading
- A strategy for evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it to other outside sources.