How to verify AI answers against source documents
The safest AI answer is one you can inspect. Use the source, citation and surrounding context to check what a response actually supports.
1. Confirm the document scope
Check that the question was asked against the intended document or collection and that processing finished successfully. A selected upload is not necessarily a searchable document.
2. Read the cited passage
Open each citation in the original file. Compare the quoted words and their surrounding context with the claim made in the answer.
3. Check the strength of the conclusion
A passage may mention a fact without supporting a broader conclusion. Look for qualifiers, dates, exceptions and whether another source is needed.
4. Record what you verified
Keep the citation or create a manual highlight, then add a note explaining the conclusion you can support. For consequential work, retain the original document and perform independent review.
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify an AI answer against a PDF?
Open the cited passage in the original PDF, read the surrounding context, and check that the passage supports the specific claim, including its dates, qualifiers and exceptions. Citely opens citations at the cited page and highlights the passage when its location is available.
Does a citation prove an AI answer is right?
No. A citation shows where text appears. You still need to judge whether the conclusion follows from that passage.
What should I keep after verifying an answer?
Keep the citation or a manual highlight and write a note explaining the conclusion the source supports. For consequential work, retain the original document.