Protecting Against Copyright & Backlash Risks | A Guide to Using Content Safely in the AI Era

With the rise of ChatGPT and Gemini, anyone can now easily create high-quality writing. However, behind that convenience, do you have new concerns?

• "Could I be using someone else's writing without realizing it?"
• "What if the information the AI wrote is complete nonsense?"
• "What if I unintentionally hurt someone's feelings?"

These "what if" fears might be acting as a major roadblock to your AI usage. In this article, we’ll explain the specific risks hidden in AI-generated content and provide safe publishing steps that anyone can start practicing today. Let’s turn that vague anxiety about AI into the "right knowledge" so you can use it with confidence.

Why the Caution? Three Risks Lurking in AI-Generated Content

Understanding exactly why caution is needed with AI-generated text is the starting point for all countermeasures.

Risk 1: Potential for Unintentional "Copyright Infringement"

AI learns from vast amounts of text data available on the internet to generate sentences. Even without the intent to plagiarize, the AI may output text that is very similar to, or even identical to, existing blog articles or news reports included in its training data. Publishing this without care creates a risk of unintentionally infringing on someone else's copyright.

Risk 2: The Danger of Plausible-Sounding "Lies" (Hallucinations)

AI sometimes generates non-factual information as if it were the truth. This is known as a "hallucination," and it is one of the current challenges in AI technology. You must always be mindful that hallucinations can slip into information where accuracy is vital, such as statistical data, technical terms, or the details of past events.

Risk 3: Sparks of "Social Backlash (*1)" from an Inability to Read Context

While AI understands the definitions of words, it cannot fully grasp the social background behind those words or the subtle nuances of human emotion. Because of this, even if you intend to write a neutral piece, the AI might generate inappropriate expressions that could offend specific groups or be perceived as discriminatory.

*1 Social Backlash (Enjo): Often referred to as "flaming" or "online firestorms" in Japan, where a post receives a flood of intense public criticism on social media.

"Three Essential Checks" for Publishing AI Articles Safely

To avoid these risks, here are the three check procedures you should always perform before publishing.

Check 1: [Copyright Measure] Rewrite the AI Text in "Your Own Words"

View the AI’s output simply as a "draft" or "raw material." While you can use the structure and ideas as a reference, you must rewrite the actual expressions in your own words.

Furthermore, by adding your specific experiences, unique perspectives, and direct addresses to the reader, the text is transformed from a mere list of information into one-of-a-kind original content.

This process is essential not only for avoiding copyright risks but also for breathing "your personality" into the writing to resonate with readers.

Check 2: [Accuracy Measure] Always Verify Important Info with "Primary Sources"

For information that requires objective accuracy—such as statistical data, laws, proper nouns, or historical facts—always go back to the "primary source" (the original origin of the info) to verify it.

Examples of Primary Sources:

• Official government websites (for stats, laws, etc.)
• Official company announcements (for product info, financial results, etc.)
• News releases from trusted media organizations

Check 3: [Ethics & Expression Measure] Perform a Final Proofread from the "Reader's Perspective"

Perform a final check using human emotion and ethics based on the following viewpoints:

• Are there any misleading, overly definitive expressions?
• Is there any nuance that could be perceived as offensive or condescending?
• Are you using too much jargon and leaving beginners behind?

Advanced Tip: Reduce Risk by Refining Your "AI Instructions" (Prompts)

You can also lower risks at the generation stage by refining your instructions (prompts) to the AI.

• Be Specific About the Output:
  Instead of vague instructions like "Give me fact-based info," give instructions that allow you to visualize the result, such as "Explain this including examples from [specific case]" or "Cover these three points."
• Specify Persona and Tone:
  Add constraints like "Explain from a neutral standpoint using language that is easy for beginners to understand" or "Strictly avoid any discriminatory or offensive expressions."

Make AI Your Ally with the Right Process

Most fear stems from not knowing the details of the risks. In this article, we’ve explained the basic checks for publishing AI-generated content safely.

While AI-generated content carries risks like copyright infringement, inaccuracy, and ethical issues, these can be effectively prevented by incorporating three simple checks: "rewriting for originality," "verifying with primary sources," and "proofreading from a reader's perspective."

The output from mitsumonoAI is generally fine to use as is. However, by performing these checks and adding your own experiences and viewpoints, you create originality and make your content even more effective. With the right knowledge, AI is a partner you can use with total peace of mind. Start using AI with confidence today.

The mitsumonoAI blog features AI usage scenes across various industries, including hotels, restaurants, retail, and services.

We also post ways to use AI for different goals—such as strengthening marketing, improving efficiency, and developing new businesses—so please take a look.

mitsumonoAI

Discover AI-powered business improvement ideas and learn how to use our system to optimize your operations.

mitsumonoAI