Part 28 - AI Buddy... how do we know if information is trustworthy?
We encounter information everywhere – on websites, in social media, in newspapers, in podcasts and now also through artificial intelligence. But how do we know what we can trust? Is it enough that something sounds right? Or do we need to ask a few simple questions before we use the information? In this article, we take a closer look at why source criticism is one of the most important skills in the digital age.
Magne & the Friend
Magne
Friend...
The more we talk about artificial intelligence...
the more I think about something completely different.
If both humans and artificial intelligence can make mistakes...
How do we really know what is right?
The buddy
The first thing we must acknowledge is that no source is infallible.
Neither people.
Books.
Websites.
Newspapers.
Or artificial intelligence.
Therefore, the question may not be:
"Who is right?"
But:
“What is this information based on?”
Magne
So...
The most important thing is perhaps not the answer?
The buddy
No.
The most important thing is how the answer has been created.
Can it be documented?
Are there more independent sources?
Is the information up to date?
Is it clear who is behind it?
Magne
It reminds me of how we have worked with Invisible Capital.
We are looking for research.
Universities.
Reports.
Own experiences.
And then we try to put it all together.
The buddy
Yes.
And that very way of working builds trust.
Not because one source is always right.
But because multiple sources together provide a better basis for understanding a topic.
Magne
So...
Source criticism isn't really about being skeptical of everything?
The buddy
No.
It's about being curious.
To ask questions.
To investigate.
To compare.
And to be willing to change your opinion when new and better documentation becomes available.
Magne
Does that mean that we also have to be able to edit our own articles?
The buddy
Absolutely.
A good professional website is not afraid to update itself.
On the contrary.
It shows that knowledge is something that develops.
Academic specialization
Five questions that strengthen source criticism
Before we base information on this, we can ask:
Who is behind the information?
What sources is it based on?
Can the information be checked?
Is the information up to date?
Is it supported by multiple independent sources?
These are good questions whether the information comes from a book, a website, a research article, or an artificial intelligence.
From information to trust
Question | Why is it important? |
Who is the sender?Who is the sender? | Provides insight into competence and responsibility. |
Are the sources stated? | Makes it possible to control the information. |
Is there documentation? | Strengthens credibility. |
Is the content up to date? | Reduces the risk of outdated knowledge. |
Is this confirmed by more people? | Provides a broader and more robust knowledge base. |
Is there openness about uncertainty? | Creates greater trust than solid claims. |
New terms in this article
Norwegian technical term | English technical term | Short explanation |
Source criticism | Source Criticism | Assessing how reliable, relevant and documented a source is before using the information. |
Primary source | Primary Source | The original source of the information, such as a research article or public document. |
Secondary source | Secondary Source | A source that builds on or interprets information from a primary source. |
Verification | Verification | To check that information is correct using documentation or other sources. |
Documentation | Documentation | Sources and evidence that support claims and conclusions. |
Fact check | Fact-Checking | The work of investigating whether specific information is correct. |
Credibility | Credibility | How reliable and trustworthy a source or content is considered to be. |
Independent source | Independent Source | A source that does not rely directly on the same original information as other sources. |
Evidence | Evidence | Documentation or observations that support a claim or conclusion. |
Critical thinking | Critical Thinking | The ability to analyze, evaluate and reflect before drawing a conclusion. |
We have only just begun.
Magne
Friend...
Now I understand how we can evaluate information.
But how do you actually do it?
How does an artificial intelligence assess which sources are good?
The buddy
Hehe...
Now we come to a question that many people ask – and to which there is no single answer.
Because artificial intelligence does not "believe".
It considers patterns, relationships, and probability.
And that is exactly what we will explore in the next article.
Academic background and further reading
This series also builds on my own professional journey through the Web Design study , the eMarketing study , Innovation and Commercialization and professional seminars in San Francisco and Oxford . Here you will find the background, professional environments and experiences that have followed the development from the early years of the web to today's digitalization.
Recommended books from our library
Content Strategy for the Web (2nd Edition)
Author/authors: Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
Short review
How do you create content that actually helps people – and at the same time supports your business goals? Content Strategy for the Web is considered one of the most influential books in the field of content strategy and digital communications. The book shows how good content does not arise by chance, but through a deliberate strategy where user needs, the organization's goals, structure, work processes and management are closely linked.
The authors take the reader through the entire process – from planning and organizing to publishing, managing and continuously improving content on websites and digital services. Although technology has evolved since the book was published, the principles of quality, relevance, management and long-term content work are at least as relevant in an era where search engines and artificial intelligence assess the credibility and usefulness of content.
Why we recommend the book
At The Invisible Capital, we believe that good content is one of the most important forms of invisible value creation. A website is far more than design and technology – it is the content that builds trust, creates great customer experiences and helps people find the answers they are looking for.
This book is perfect for leaders, communications consultants, content producers, web editors, UX designers, and anyone working with digital services. It shows why a clear content strategy leads to better user experiences, more effective interactions, and stronger digital results over time.
In an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly important in how information is discovered, understood, and communicated, this book is more relevant than ever. It reminds us that technology alone never creates value – it is good, structured, and relevant content that makes the difference.
Don't Make Me ThinkAuthor: Steve Krug
Short review
Don't Make Me Think is one of the world's most influential books on usability and web design. Since its first edition in 2000, the book has helped designers, developers, content producers, and managers understand a simple but powerful principle: Good digital services should be intuitive. The user should be able to complete their task without having to stop and think about how the website works.
Why we recommend the book
This is one of the books that has had the greatest impact on my own work with digital services. Over the years – from SAS and the Norwegian Opera & Ballet to working on Bærum Municipality’s website – the principles in this book have been an important reminder that technology is never an end in itself. The goal is to make everyday life easier for the people who use the services. Despite the fact that the book was published many years ago, the message is just as relevant today.
Internet Marketing & eCommerce
Authors: Ward Hanson and Kirthi Kalyanam
Short review
Internet Marketing & eCommerce provides a thorough introduction to how the internet has changed marketing, commerce, and business development. The book combines theory and practical examples in digital marketing, e-commerce, customer behavior, value creation, and digital business models. Although written at a time when the internet was still in its infancy, many of the fundamental principles are still highly relevant.
Why we recommend the book
This book was an important part of my own learning journey in digital marketing and e-commerce. It helped build my understanding of how technology, customer experience and business strategy are interconnected – an insight that later became very important in my work with SAS, the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Bærum Municipality and eventually the project The Invisible Capital. Many of the ideas about customer value, digitalisation and innovation presented on the website have their roots in the knowledge this book conveys.
The Innovator's Dilemma: When New
Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
Author: Clayton M. Christensen
Short review
The Innovator's Dilemma is one of the most influential books on innovation and technological change. Clayton Christensen introduces the concept of "disruptive innovation" and shows how even the most successful businesses can fail when new technologies and business models change the market. Through a series of examples, he explains why established companies often have difficulty adapting to radical change - even when they do "everything right."
Why we recommend the book
This book has had a major impact on how I view innovation, digitalization, and change management. It provided a new perspective on why established businesses are challenged by new players, and why the ability to think differently is crucial in a world characterized by continuous technological development. Many of the reflections in The Invisible Capital on innovation, digital transformation, and value creation are based on the insights Clayton Christensen conveys in this classic.
Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future
Authors: Jeremy Kahn
Short review
Mastering AI takes the reader behind the scenes of the companies and researchers shaping the modern AI revolution. Jeremy Kahn explains how artificial intelligence is developed, the technological breakthroughs that have made today's language models possible, and how AI is impacting business, politics, and society.
Why we recommend the book
A highly relevant book that combines technology, business, and societal development. Perfect for leaders, decision-makers, and anyone who wants to understand where artificial intelligence is headed.
AI Needs You
Author: Verity Harding
Short review
AI Needs You is about why artificial intelligence is not just a technological issue, but also a question of democracy, ethics and social development. Verity Harding argues that the AI of the future must be developed in collaboration with people, governments and business.
Why we recommend the book
An important book for anyone who wants to understand how artificial intelligence affects society and why responsible development will be crucial in the years to come.
The Worlds I See
Author: Fei-Fei Li
Short review
The Worlds I See is the personal story of Fei-Fei Li, one of the world's most influential AI researchers. The book combines autobiography with the history of the development of modern artificial intelligence, showing how research, technology, and human values are closely intertwined.
Why we recommend the book
An inspiring book that provides a unique insight into the development of artificial intelligence through the eyes of one of the field's most central researchers.
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