What Not to Share with AI

AI can explain, compare, draft, and troubleshoot, but useful assistance does not require handing over every private detail. I walk through a practical circle of trust for information, safer ways to share documents, and the extra care needed when AI suggests computer commands or advice with serious consequences. **Ask Three Questions Before Sharing** What does AI actually need to know? What happens if its answer is wrong? What would happen if the information were exposed? These questions help separate relevant context from unnecessary identifying details and keep our judgment involved as tools become more capable. **Red, Yellow, and Green Information** Passwords, login codes, recovery keys, and full account identifiers belong in the red category. Health, financial, employment, and other people's private information require careful judgment in the yellow category. Generalized examples and nonidentifying context can often provide a greener way to get useful help. **Protect Other People and Work Materials** A friend's diagnosis or a coworker's private situation is not ours to disclose casually. Workplace rules also matter: permission to use an approved company tool does not automatically cover a personal account. I share why checking the rules and removing unnecessary names can make a difference. **Look Beyond the Question in a Screenshot** AI may notice more than the detail we intended to show. Documents and photographs can reveal addresses, account numbers, background objects, and other information. Crop to the relevant area and check the finished image before sharing rather than assuming the rest will be ignored. **Keep Judgment over Actions and Advice** A command that fixes a problem can also delete files, change permissions, or modify a database. Understand it, make backups, and seek qualified help when needed. For medical, financial, and legal questions, AI can help organize information and prepare questions, while important decisions deserve professional verification. Before your next upload or powerful command, pause and ask the three questions. Share only what is needed, understand proposed actions, and increase verification as the stakes rise. jill@startwithsmallsteps.com and jillfromthenorthwoods.com * * * **A note on this podcast:** I’m not a software developer or an AI professional, just someone who uses these tools every day and shares what’s working for me. Test anything I mention against your own situation before you rely on it. **TIMESTAMPS** 00:00 Using AI includes knowing when to pause 01:59 Three questions for safer AI use 03:05 Relevant context without identifiers 06:54 Red information: credentials and codes 12:07 Yellow information and privacy 14:56 Other people and workplace rules 16:39 Green information and general examples 18:19 Crop documents and check screenshots 20:53 Understand commands before running them 23:42 High stakes and your final judgment