Use AI to organise research, then verify the summary against the original sources. Treat a generated answer as a working draft, not as evidence that a claim is true.
Define the question before summarising
Write one research question and identify the decision your report should support. List which sources you are permitted to use, their dates and any known limitations. An industry report from another country may not describe a South African business context. Keep the distinction visible rather than letting a smooth summary hide it.
Build a simple evidence log
For each source, record its title, author or organisation, date, relevant page or section and the claim it supports. Keep the original accessible. If the AI tool cannot read a document fully, do not assume it has considered the missing pages. Work in manageable sections and label the source attached to each section.
Ask for a bounded summary
With an approved, non-confidential extract, try: “Summarise only the supplied text in five points. For each point, identify the source section. Separate findings from the author’s opinion. State what this extract does not establish. Do not add outside facts or create references.” This is an editorial practice prompt, not a transcript of the promo.
Check every important claim
Compare each central claim with the original passage. Check whether the source actually supports the conclusion, whether qualifications have disappeared and whether numbers or dates have changed. Open every cited reference yourself. If a citation cannot be located, exclude it until verified. AI can produce plausible references that do not exist.
Write the report in your own reasoning
Use the checked evidence log to structure the report around the question. Separate the evidence, your interpretation and the recommended next step. State uncertainty and disagreements between sources. Ask a colleague to review higher-risk conclusions. Keep enough of an audit trail that someone else can retrace the reasoning without relying on the AI conversation.
What “an hour back” means
“Skills that give you an hour of your life back every day.” is AtlantisAI’s Hour Back campaign proposition, not a proven or guaranteed daily saving. The promo is a scripted illustration. Your results will depend on the work, the tools you are allowed to use and the checking involved.
Questions and answers
Can I cite an AI summary as the original evidence?
For factual research, cite and check the underlying source. Follow your institution’s or employer’s rules on declaring AI assistance.
What about confidential research or student work?
Use only approved tools and material you have permission to process. Academic integrity, confidentiality and personal-information requirements still apply.
Find a learning path for your work
Explore the courses at https://atlantisai.co.za/courses and read how the AI CERTs partnership works at https://atlantisai.co.za/aicerts. To express interest and receive updates, visit https://atlantisai.co.za/pre-register and check the current terms. Ask AtlantisAI which programme fits your role and practice goals before making a commitment.
