(AGENPARL) – Wed 25 June 2025 Hello Luigi
## RIFT ## (https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/), a leading finance and tax specialist, is urging individuals to fact-check and verify any advice received from generative AI tools – especially in areas as critical as legal, medical, or financial and tax guidance – after recent research has exposed the risks of relying on these platforms without professional oversight.
A recent study by the  ## Columbia Journalism Review ## (https://www.cjr.org/tow_center/we-compared-eight-ai-search-engines-theyre-all-bad-at-citing-news.php) found that more than 60% of AI-generated responses to news-related queries were inaccurate or misleading. Among the worst performers were X’s Grok 3 with a 94% error rate, and ChatGPT Search at 67%, while even the best – Perplexity – still produced incorrect answers 37% of the time.
These inaccuracies stem from several technical issues, including hallucinations, biased training data, lack of contextual awareness, incomplete information, and unsupported source citations. For users turning to AI for high-stakes information, the consequences can be serious.
* Legal Advice: Risk Without Recourse *
AI is increasingly used to generate legal guidance, but this comes with real-world risks. In one UK court case, a litigant in person used AI-generated legal documents that contained completely fabricated case law – seriously damaging credibility. Unlike advice from a regulated solicitor or barrister, AI communications are not legally privileged, meaning they are not confidential and could be disclosed in legal proceedings.
Crucially, AI tools do not carry professional indemnity insurance, nor are they regulated by legal oversight bodies. If you receive poor advice and act upon it, you bear the full consequences – there is no one to hold accountable.
* Medical Advice: A Dangerous Shortcut *
Similarly, AI is being used to generate medical information, but its ability to offer reliable, personalised, and up-to-date health advice is extremely limited. Generative tools often hallucinate or cite unreliable sources. Without understanding your personal medical history, lifestyle, or genetic profile, AI suggestions can be misleading or outright dangerous.
There are also concerns over privacy and data security, with AI platforms potentially capturing and storing sensitive health information in ways that do not comply with data protection laws like the UK’s GDPR.
* Financial and Tax Advice: Errors with Real Costs *
In the area of tax and finance – where RIFT specialises – the risks are particularly acute. AI tools may misinterpret HMRC regulations, fail to consider the full context of a person’s finances, or overlook exemptions, reliefs, and reporting obligations.
Errors in tax filings, for example, can result in penalties, delays, and compliance breaches. Worse still, AI-generated financial advice is not covered by the Financial Conduct Authority, leaving users unprotected if something goes wrong.
## * Bradley Post, MD of RIFT * ## (https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/) *, commented: *
“While AI can be useful for general information or brainstorming, treating it as a substitute for qualified, regulated advice in legal, medical, or financial matters is risky and potentially costly.
So whilst it’s tempting to turn to AI for quick answers, verification by professionals remains essential, as these tools don’t carry the responsibility, oversight, or accuracy required in areas like tax, health, or law.
In short, what you save in time, you could easily lose in penalties or worse.”
* END *
* Notes to Editors: – *
– Tax and accounting specialists RIFT Tax Refunds are specialists that help ## claim tax back ## (https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/claim-tax-back/) when you travel for work.
– The rules for a UK ## tax rebate ## (https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/) can be tough to understand, but our RIFT tax specialists are the best in the business at handling travel and vehicle tax refunds for workers like you. With RIFT, ## online tax refunds ## (https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/) are simple and stress-free.
– RIFT has claimed back over almost £308m in tax rebates for 126,249 customers since 1999
– In 2021, RIFT made 31,313 calls to HMRC, spending over 11,000 hours on the phone.
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