Advanced level · Module 4: AI Safety, Security and Testing · Lesson 2 of 4
Misuse and Content Safety
Prevent AI systems from being used to cause harm or produce harmful content.
In this lesson you will
- Identify misuse scenarios
- Apply content safety controls
Key concepts
misuse scenarioscontent filteringusage policiesabuse monitoring
The lesson
List how the system could be misused: generating harassment, impersonating officials, extracting personal data, producing misleading information.
Apply controls: clear usage policies, input and output filtering, refusing out-of-scope requests, rate limits and monitoring for abuse patterns.
Balance safety with usefulness: overly broad refusals frustrate legitimate users and push them to less safe tools.
Step by step
- List misuse scenarios for the capstone.
- Rate their likelihood and impact.
- Implement controls for the top three.
- Test legitimate requests still work.
Practice activity
Add misuse controls to the capstone system.
Expected result: Controls that block tested misuse without blocking legitimate use.
Check your understanding
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Name two content safety controls.
Show answer
For example output filtering and refusing out-of-scope requests.
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Why avoid overly broad refusals?
Show answer
They frustrate legitimate users and push them to less safe tools.
Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.