"Think First, Verify Always": Training Humans to Face AI Risks

TL;DR

This paper presents the TFVA protocol, a brief training method that significantly improves human ability to resist AI-driven cognitive attacks, emphasizing human-centered cybersecurity in AI systems.

Contribution

Introduces the TFVA protocol, a principles-based training approach that enhances human resilience against AI threats through a quick, effective intervention.

Findings

3-minute training improved cognitive security performance by 7.87%

Participants showed increased awareness and judgment after intervention

Proposes embedding TFVA in AI platforms for better security

Abstract

Artificial intelligence enables unprecedented attacks on human cognition, yet cybersecurity remains predominantly device-centric. This paper introduces the "Think First, Verify Always" (TFVA) protocol, which repositions humans as 'Firewall Zero', the first line of defense against AI-enabled threats. The protocol is grounded in five operational principles: Awareness, Integrity, Judgment, Ethical Responsibility, and Transparency (AIJET). A randomized controlled trial (n=151) demonstrated that a minimal 3-minute intervention produced statistically significant improvements in cognitive security task performance, with participants showing an absolute +7.87% gains compared to controls. These results suggest that brief, principles-based training can rapidly enhance human resilience against AI-driven cognitive manipulation. We recommend that GenAI platforms embed "Think First, Verify Always" as a standard prompt, replacing passive warnings with actionable protocols to enhance trustworthy and ethical AI use. By bridging the gap between technical cybersecurity and human factors, the TFVA protocol establishes human-empowered security as a vital component of trustworthy AI systems.