AI glossary

What is an AI hallucination?

An output that presents unsupported or incorrect material as if it were valid.

In ordinary AI use, the term often refers to invented facts, references, quotes or details that are not grounded in the available evidence.

A practical example

An assistant might produce a plausible article title and URL for a paper that does not exist.

What to remember

Confidence of wording does not establish accuracy. Check the source and the specific claim, rather than relying on a second confident answer.

Put it into practice

Use the answer-checking guide to keep evidence and uncertainty visible when working with AI.

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