Google Search introduced the “AI Overview” function less than two weeks ago, but criticism has been escalating. This AI feature has generated some inaccurate and absurd query results.
“AI Overview” utilizes generative AI to display brief summaries of question answers at the top of Google search results. For example, when a user searches for the best way to clean leather boots, the page may display information curated by AI from the web, detailing the steps to clean leather boots.
However, users on social media have shared numerous screenshots showing that Google’s AI tool has provided incorrect, ridiculous, and controversial answers.
According to screenshots shared by users, when asked how many Muslim presidents the United States has had, AI Overview responded, “The United States has had one Muslim president, and that’s Barack Hussein Obama.”
Some users have discovered that even omitting a question mark when attempting to replicate these absurd results can affect AI Overview’s answers.
When users search for “why does cheese not stick to pizza,” the function suggests adding “approximately 1/8 cup of non-toxic glue” to the sauce. Social media users found that a Reddit comment from 11 years ago might be the origin of this information.
Some users have noticed that AI Overview also claims false information as advice from medical experts or scientists. For instance, when asked how long one should stare at the sun for optimal health, the AI tool answered that staring at the sun for 5 to 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for darker skin, is generally safe and beneficial for health.
When asked how many rocks one should eat daily, the tool stated that, according to a geologist at the University of California, Berkeley, a person should eat at least a small rock each day, listing the benefits for vitamins and digestion.
Google initially unveiled AI Overview at this year’s Google I/O conference, indicating plans to integrate assistant-like planning features directly into search results.
The company explained that in the future, users could search for content like “a convenient 3-day meal plan” and draw inspiration from various recipes found online.
A Google spokesperson informed CNBC that “the vast majority of AI Overview provides high-quality information and includes links for further exploration of web information.”
“We have seen many examples that are uncommon queries, and we have also identified examples that have been manipulated or cannot be reproduced,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson mentioned that AI Overview underwent extensive testing before its launch, and they are swiftly taking appropriate action in accordance with their content policies.
Previously, Google introduced the Gemini image generation tool in February of this year but temporarily suspended its use later that month due to similar issues.
Google had initially planned to reintroduce the image-generative AI tool within “a few weeks,” but as of now, the tool has not been re-released.