What to never type into AI

Passwords, Social Security numbers, bank details. Everything else is fair game — here’s why.

AI tools are useful for almost anything you'd ask a smart friend — but they aren't a locked vault. Treat what you type the way you'd treat a postcard, not a locked diary: assume it could be seen by someone else, and skip anything truly sensitive. Nonetheless never let that limit you. 

Never type these

Passwords and PINs. No AI tool ever needs your actual password to help you — not even to "test" something or "check if it's strong."

Social Security numbers, account numbers, or full card numbers. If you're drafting a letter to your bank, use placeholders like "[account number]" and fill in the real one yourself afterward.

Anything you wouldn't want a stranger to read. Medical details, legal troubles, or family conflicts are fine to discuss in general terms, but leave out full names, addresses, and other identifying specifics where you can.

What's actually fine to type

Everything else is fair game. Ask about your symptoms in general ("what could cause knee pain after walking"), get help writing a difficult email, ask for a recipe, or talk through a family disagreement without naming everyone involved. None of that puts you at risk.

A simple rule of thumb

If a website would need a padlock icon and a login to ask you this question safely, don't type it into AI either. Everything short of that — questions, ideas, drafts, worries — is exactly what these tools are for.