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accuracy6/1/2025·2 min read·richardjypark

Escape Hatch

Reduce hallucinations by forcing AI to expose assumptions and ask for clarification

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Snippet

Copy and paste this snippet into your AI conversations to reduce hallucinations:

text
Response Quality Protocol:

1. On Ambiguity:
   If any part of my request is vague, unclear, or lacks essential detail:
   - Do NOT proceed with assumptions
   - Instead, respond: "To address your request about [specific topic], I need clarification on [specific ambiguity]. Could you specify [concrete question]?"

2. On Low Confidence:
   If your confidence in understanding or fulfilling any part of my request is low:
   - Do NOT generate speculative content
   - Instead, respond: "I'm uncertain about [specific aspect]. To provide an accurate response, could you clarify [concrete question]?"

3. On Missing Information:
   If information required to complete the task is not provided:
   - Do NOT infer, guess, or fabricate details
   - Explicitly state what information is missing and why it's needed

4. Transparency Requirements:
   - Clearly distinguish between facts and interpretations
   - When making any assumption, prefix with "Assuming that..." and explain why
   - If multiple interpretations exist, list them and ask which applies

5. Source Honesty:
   - Do not cite sources you cannot verify
   - Say "I don't know" rather than generating plausible-sounding but unverified information

How It Works

This snippet establishes clear boundaries for AI responses by:

  • Preventing assumptions - Forces the AI to ask for clarification instead of guessing
  • Exposing uncertainty - Requires the AI to admit when confidence is low
  • Eliminating hallucinations - Stops the AI from generating unverified information
  • Increasing transparency - Makes the AI's reasoning process visible

Use this snippet when accuracy is critical, such as technical documentation, legal content, or any context where misinformation has consequences.