Google’s rollout of AI-generated previews in search results in the United States is taking a disastrous turn, with mainstream media outlets like the New York Times, the BBC and CNBC reporting numerous inaccuracies and bizarre responses.
On social media, users are sharing countless examples of the absurd and sometimes dangerous result of this feature.
From recommending non-toxic glue on pizza to suggesting that eating rocks provides nutritional benefits, the fallacies would be amusing if they weren’t so alarming.
Replica….
But I appreciate that the glue offered is “non-toxic”!
Look, this isn’t about “gotchas”, it’s more about pointing out harm that is clearly foreseeable. Before, for example, a child dies because of this disorder.
It’s not about Google, it’s about the predictable effect of AI on society. https://t.co/kG0xP2if7L pic.twitter.com/MIPjF8hg0i– MMitchell (@mmitchell_ai) May 23, 2024
I couldn’t believe it until I tried it. Google needs to fix this ASAP. pic.twitter.com/r3FyOfxiTK
– Kris Kashtanova (@icreatelife) May 23, 2024
Mainstream media coverage
As the New York Times reports, Google’s AI analytics struggle to understand basic facts, claiming that Barack Obama was the first Muslim president of the United States and claiming that Andrew Jackson graduated from college in 2005 .
These errors undermine trust in Google’s search engine, which more than two billion people rely on for authoritative information around the world.
Manual removal and system improvements
As The Verge reports, Google is now working to remove bizarre AI-generated responses and improve its systems manually.
A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company was taking “rapid action” to remove problematic responses and was using the examples to refine its AI presentation functionality.
Google’s rush to integrate AI
The faulty deployment of AI previews is not an isolated incident for Google.
As CNBC notes in its report, Google has made several missteps in the rush to integrate AI into its products.
In February, Google was forced to suspend its Gemini chatbot after generating inaccurate images of historical figures and refusing to depict white people in most cases.
Before that, the company’s Bard chatbot was ridiculed for sharing incorrect information about the space, leading to a $100 billion drop in Google’s market value.
Despite these setbacks, industry experts cited by The New York Times suggest that Google has no choice but to continue advancing AI integration to remain competitive.
However, the challenges of taming large language models, which ingest false information and satirical messages, are now more evident.
The debate over AI in research
The controversy surrounding AI previews is fueling the debate over the risks and limitations of AI.
While the technology has potential, these missteps serve as a reminder that more testing is needed before making it available to the public.
The BBC notes that Google’s competitors are facing similar backlash over their attempts to integrate more AI tools into their consumer products.
Britain’s data watchdog is investigating Microsoft after it announced a feature to take streaming screenshots of users’ online activity.
At the same time, actress Scarlett Johansson criticized OpenAI for using a voice comparable to hers without permission.
What This Means for Websites and SEO Professionals
Mainstream media coverage of Google’s flawed AI insights focuses public attention on the problem of declining search quality.
As the company works to address the inaccuracies, the incident serves as a warning to the entire industry.
Takeaway: Prioritize responsible use of AI technology to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.
News Source : www.searchenginejournal.com
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