Glue Pizza and Eat Rocks: Google AI Search Mistakes Go Viral

Google's AI search function has been accused for returning erroneous results. Responses included recommendations for putting glue on pizza and eating rocks. Google defends the functionality, claiming that the occurrences are unusual and do not represent the majority of users' experiences.

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The experimental "AI Overviews" feature has given some users questionable suggestions, such as recommending the use of "non-toxic glue" to help cheese stick to pizza better. In another weird statement, the AI stated that geologists recommend that humans eat one rock every day.

These unusual comments have sparked widespread criticism on social media, with some questioning the reliability of Google's AI-generated responses. Some of the reactions appear to be based on Reddit comments or articles from the satirical website The Onion. However, Google has dismissed these events as "isolated examples" and maintained that the feature is normally working properly.

In a statement, Google defended its AI Overviews, saying, "The examples we've seen are generally very uncommon queries and aren't representative of most people's experiences." The company underlined that the majority of AI overviews provide high-quality content with links for additional exploration. Google also informed consumers that it had taken measures to resolve any policy infractions and was constantly improving its systems.

This isn't the first time Google has had troubles with its AI-powered goods. Earlier this year, the chatbot Gemini was chastised for its "woke" responses, prompting a short halt in its operations. Similarly, Gemini's predecessor, Bard, had a horrible beginning.

Google began testing AI overviews in search results for a small number of logged-in UK users in April. The feature was later made available to all US customers during the company's annual developer showcase in mid-May. The AI-powered tool presents users with a summary of search results, avoiding the need to read through multiple websites to locate the information they seek. While this is an experimental feature, it is expected to be widely used and trusted due to Google's prominence as the primary search engine.

Despite the potential benefits of AI-powered search, experts emphasise the need for greater accuracy and reliability. While AI tools improve ease and efficiency, trust is essential. Google's AI search blunders, or "hallucinations," as they are known, are not unique to the firm but have received more attention because to its position as the world's largest search engine.

Other corporations are also drawing fire for attempting to incorporate AI techniques into consumer-facing goods. Microsoft is presently being investigated by the UK's data watchdog for a feature in its new line of AI-focused PCs that continuously screenshots users' online behaviour. Additionally, OpenAI, the author of ChatGPT, received criticism from actress Scarlett Johansson for utilising a voice identical to hers without her permission.

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• Google's AI search feature criticised for providing inaccurate responses.

• Responses included suggestions to use glue on pizza and eat rocks.

• Google defends the feature, stating that the incidents are isolated and not representative of most users' experiences.

Source: BBC