Responsible and safe use of AI

AI is a transformative new technology that is reshaping knowledge work. The large language models (LLMs) that power ChatGPT are trained on vast amounts of publicly available text and other data to predict and generate human-like language. This enables them to assist with tasks such as drafting, summarizing, brainstorming, and answering questions, helping people work more efficiently and creatively.

As this technology continues to evolve, it is important to use AI responsibly. These models may sometimes produce incorrect information or be misused if their outputs are applied without care. OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity, and achieving this goal requires safe and thoughtful use by everyone. The tips on this page are designed to help anyone using ChatGPT follow best practices for safe and effective use.

Respect workplace policies and OpenAI policies. If you’re using ChatGPT at work, your company’s rules come first, so check organizational AI policies before using ChatGPT for work. You can also review OpenAI’s Usage Policies⁠ for additional guidance on responsible use.

Keep a human in the loop for important work. ChatGPT can be inaccurate⁠(opens in a new window) or out of date because it generates responses based on patterns in data it was trained on, which may not reflect the most current information or may contain inaccuracies. Always double-check critical facts with trusted sources, and feel free to mark errors with the thumbs-down button. 

Watch for bias and perspective. Models may not be free from bias⁠(opens in a new window), so you should always review outputs carefully and assess conclusions critically when needed. Bias mitigation is an ongoing area of research for us, and we welcome feedback on how to improve.

Seek expert review for legal, medical, or financial advice. ChatGPT is not a licensed professional—it’s a conversational AI that provides responses based on patterns in data, and is not a replacement for guidance from qualified professionals. This means that advice from ChatGPT might not always be right for your situation. For important decisions, such as in health, legal, or financial matters, always check with a qualified expert or defer to your organization's policies before acting.

Be transparent when you use ChatGPT. If your employer or school expects you to disclose AI use in your work, keep conversation links⁠(opens in a new window) or logs so others can understand how ChatGPT contributed.

Obtain consent before sharing someone else’s voice or data. Record mode⁠(opens in a new window) (if enabled by your workspace admin) and similar features may capture personal information. Make sure all participants agree to any recordings and follow your organization’s policies when using these features.

Provide feedback and report policy issues. Use the thumbs-down button or the report flow to flag unsafe or incorrect replies. Your feedback helps improve safety⁠(opens in a new window) for everyone.

Use search or deep research for up-to-date answers. When recency matters, enable search⁠(opens in a new window) or deep research⁠(opens in a new window) so ChatGPT can pull information from current sources. Check citations, open links, and verify details before relying on responses.