An AI answer can be based on a file copy or a connected source. Current Gemini Notebook guidance describes automatic syncing for imported Google Drive sources. Do not assume that every attachment stays frozen, or that every connected document is already up to date.
Use a change you can recognise
Imagine a club timetable whose Saturday opening changed from 10:00 to 09:30. Open the original and confirm the new time yourself. Then inspect the source selected in the AI tool, including its name and any update status.
Ask a narrow question: “What is Saturday's opening time in this source? Show the supporting passage.” Compare the passage with the original. A correct-looking answer without the right passage could still be a guess or information from another file.
Resolve the mismatch before the summary
- Check for two similarly named copies.
- Confirm which sources are selected for the question.
- Use the product's documented sync or replacement process if needed.
- Repeat the narrow check before requesting a larger summary.
Do not silently overwrite your only source copy to make the interface simpler. Keep a record of which version the final answer used. If access to the original has changed, resolve that with its owner. Rephrasing the question cannot restore permission or prove that an inaccessible source was read.