Artificial intelligence has quickly become a daily tool for many users. Chatbots like ChatGPT can write text, summarize information, organize data, generate ideas, and help with a wide range of personal and professional tasks. However, increased capability does not mean these tools are infallible or harmless.
AI models may produce incorrect information, overlook important details, or, when faced with a complex problem, provide an answer that seems convincing but is unsuitable for real-world conditions. OpenAI also recommends that humans remain in the decision-making loop for important tasks and that qualified professionals be consulted for medical and financial matters.
In this vein, the following five items are among the tasks that it is better not to fully delegate to AI.
1. Unlimited access to personal accounts
Some AI tools can be connected to users' services and accounts to automate tasks such as searching for information, managing email, or performing online actions. These capabilities can be useful, but granting permissions beyond what is needed increases the AI's access to personal information.
It is better for each tool to have access only to the data and services required to perform a specific task. Bank accounts, emails containing sensitive information, and important documents should not be made available to AI agents without careful review of permissions. For actions such as transferring money or changing sensitive information, human verification is more important.
2. Entrusting medical decisions to AI
AI can be useful for explaining medical terms, summarizing information, or preparing a list of questions for a doctor; but diagnosing an illness, determining the severity of a condition, or initiating and changing treatment is another matter.
Even more specialized AI tools in the health domain are not designed to replace a physician. For example, OpenAI's Health service also emphasizes that it is designed to support medical care and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a professional.
Therefore, a chatbot's response should not be the final basis for taking medication, changing treatment, or ignoring a serious symptom.
3. Delegating major financial decisions
AI can help with budgeting, categorizing expenses, and explaining financial concepts, but decisions about investments, taxes, large debts, or other significant financial matters depend on many factors such as income, obligations, goals, and the individual's risk tolerance.
Even specialized financial services do not consider themselves a replacement for professional judgment. OpenAI has stated that financial outputs may be incorrect, incomplete, or outdated and should not be treated as investment advice.
4. Using chatbots as a substitute for therapy and human support
Talking to a chatbot may make it easier to organize thoughts or express a personal issue, but it should not replace connecting with trusted people or seeking professional help. In crisis situations, decisions about the need for specialized help should be based on appropriate human assessment.
In fact, a chatbot's main advantage in this area can be helping to organize thoughts or prepare questions, not taking on the role of a therapist.
5. Entering confidential company information
One of the most serious mistakes is placing private source code, customer information, internal documents, confidential contracts, or trade secrets into an AI service without the company's permission.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also warned about the risks of disclosing sensitive and confidential company information in AI services and emphasized the need to comply with data protection obligations.
This concern is not merely theoretical. In 2023, after Samsung employees entered sensitive information and code into ChatGPT, the company restricted employees' use of generative AI tools. Apple also limited employee use of ChatGPT and some external AI tools that year due to concerns about disclosing confidential information.
The original report of this piece also emphasized these five areas: access to personal accounts, medical and financial decisions, emotional support, and confidential work information.
Ultimately, the main issue is not abandoning AI completely, but defining the boundary between "seeking help" and "delegating responsibility." AI can summarize information, explain options, and suggest ways to perform tasks; but for sensitive decisions, human review, access controls, and use of reliable sources remain essential.