Why and How People Check Generative AI Output for Mistakes
Patrick Gage Kelley
Derrick Feldmann
Reena Jana
Colleen Thompson-Kuhn
Allison Woodruff
Oct 2026 · Proceedings of the AAAI/ACM Conference on AI Ethics and Society
Human-computer Interaction
Abstract
Generative AI output can contain errors, such as hallucinations, non-responsive results, or otherwise inaccurate or potentially harmful content. To explore the public's emerging understanding, attitudes, and behavior regarding such mistakes, we ran an online survey in the United States with 1,503 respondents, with a representative sample of the population. We report high public awareness of generative AI mistakes. Further, many respondents report checking generative AI output, for example, by comparing results with other online resources. We conclude with guidance for explanations and in-product disclosures about generative AI mistakes.
