Introduction
When people say “AI,” they often mean a chatbot. These digital assistants have transformed how we work, learn, and create, but they can also lead to harmful experiences if not chosen carefully. This piece distills practical guidance from conversations with industry expert Josh Aquino, Head of Communications for Microsoft in the Philippines, about how to evaluate and pick a chatbot that fits your needs—safely and ethically.
Choosing a chatbot is not about finding the single “best” option; it’s about finding a tool that aligns with your goals, privacy expectations, and comfort with how it handles information. While Josh represents a major tech company, the considerations here apply across products. The goal is to balance usefulness with guardrails that protect users from harmful or misleading content.
Green flags: what to look for when evaluating chatbots
Josh highlights several key green flags that signal a chatbot is likely to be trustworthy and user‑friendly. First is clarity, consistency, and care in responses. A good chatbot should provide accurate information, resist harmful or conspiracy‑theory requests, and be transparent about its limits. If the bot cannot engage with certain topics, it should say so clearly rather than offering unsafe or misleading alternatives.
Second, data privacy is essential. Look for controls over what data is collected and how it is used. A solid option focuses on enhancing your experience with minimal data collection and offers contextual intelligence—remembering relevant details only if you’re comfortable with it and if you’ve opted in.
Third is human agency at the center. A reliable chatbot should let you understand how the AI works, adjust settings, and opt out when needed. When a product, such as a productivity assistant, demonstrates these values, it signals responsible design and trustworthy stewardship.
Other green flags include the quality of answers and, importantly, source citations. If a chatbot cites sources for its claims, you can verify the information and detect hallucinations more easily. This transparency also helps you gauge how the model arrived at its conclusions and whether it aligns with your information needs.
Red flags: warning signs to avoid
Just as important as the positives are the red flags. First, be wary of how much an app collects about you and how that data might be used, especially if it is used to train models or share with third parties. If a provider does not clearly explain data usage, that should raise concerns about privacy and control over your personal information.
Another red flag is a lack of transparency about data sources and limitations. If a chatbot cannot cite sources or seems to avoid explaining its reasoning, you may be dealing with unchecked biases or unreliable guidance. Likewise, if the bot exhibits harmful or discriminatory behavior, or encourages dangerous actions, it should be avoided.
Finally, watch for outputs that could pose risks to you or others. For example, if an AI app suggests unsafe methods or promotes unhealthy ideation, it’s time to disengage and seek safer options. Responsible AI developers design safeguards to prevent such responses and provide clear escalation paths when needed.
Practical steps to pick your chatbot
1) Define your goals: productivity, learning, coding help, or creative brainstorming. Different chatbots excel in different areas. 2) Check privacy settings: review terms of service and customize data sharing. 3) Test for transparency: ask for sources, ask about limitations, and note how the bot handles sensitive topics. 4) Assess human oversight: can you easily adjust settings or opt out of data collection? 5) Compare for bias and safety: seek products that explicitly address bias mitigation and safety commitments.
Ethical considerations and personal responsibility
The potential of AI chatbots is vast, but so are the risks. As Josh notes, trust, safety, and user education should be central to any deployment. Consumers should approach each tool with curiosity and caution, balancing the benefits with ethical considerations about data privacy, misinformation, and the impact on well‑being.
Conclusion
There isn’t a universal “right” chatbot for everyone. By focusing on green flags—clarity, privacy, human agency, high‑quality answers, and source citations—and guarding against red flags like opaque data practices and harmful outputs, you can pick a tool that enhances your work and learning while keeping safety at the forefront. With thoughtful selection and ongoing mindful use, AI chatbots can be a powerful ally rather than a source of risk.
