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Section 5: Accuracy expectations

Section 1: No uploading sensitive documents

Module 7 — Data Safety & Common Mistakes

Section 1: No Uploading Sensitive Documents

Purpose of This Section

This section explains why sensitive documents should never be uploaded into AI tools and how to use AI safely without exposing confidential information.

Convenience does not outweigh responsibility.

The Core Idea

AI tools are processing environments, not secure storage systems.

When a document is uploaded, it leaves your direct control. Even when tools advertise privacy or security protections, uploading sensitive information increases risk exposure.

Once sensitive data is shared, it cannot be fully retrieved or unshared.

What Counts as Sensitive Documents

Sensitive documents include, but are not limited to:

  • contracts and legal agreements
  • internal reports or strategy documents
  • financial records
  • customer or client data
  • employee information
  • proprietary or confidential materials

If a document would cause harm if publicly exposed, it should not be uploaded.

Why This Matters

Uploading sensitive documents creates:

  • legal and compliance risk
  • confidentiality breaches
  • loss of client or employer trust
  • potential regulatory consequences

These risks are often invisible until damage has already occurred.

What AI Is Safe to Use Instead

You can still use AI without sharing sensitive documents by:

  • manually summarizing key points
  • replacing names with placeholders
  • redacting identifying details
  • describing document structure instead of content
  • asking hypothetical or generalized questions

AI can support thinking without direct data exposure.

Common Failure Mode

A common mistake is assuming that “secure,” “private,” or “not used for training” means risk-free.

Another failure mode is sharing sensitive information under time pressure without considering long-term consequences.

Speed does not eliminate responsibility.

The Conjugo Rule

If it cannot be public, it cannot be uploaded.

When in doubt, do not share the document. Find a safer way to ask the question.

Best Practices

Data safety works best when:

  • sensitive documents stay within controlled systems
  • prompts avoid direct copying of confidential material
  • redaction and abstraction are used consistently

Caution protects both individuals and organizations.

Section Takeaway

  • AI tools are not secure filing systems
  • Uploading sensitive documents increases risk
  • Safer alternatives exist for using AI effectively
  • Responsibility remains with the user

Protecting data is not optional.

This concludes Section 1.