The accuracy and reliability of Google's AI search recommendations remain a deadly challenge

Google is working hard to eliminate false and potentially dangerous answers from its AI search results. However, the new “AI Overview” feature sometimes mispresents jokes and sarcasm on social media and satirical sites as facts.

Google’s recently released AI search results have attracted a lot of attention, but the reasons are not as positive as expected. As part of its newly launched “Twin Times” strategy, the tech giant announced a slew of new AI tools last week. This was followed by a significant change to its signature web search service, where answers to questions in search results are now displayed in natural language directly on top of website links.

While Google’s update makes search technology more advanced and able to respond to more complex user questions, it also raises some concerns. For example, AI can sometimes present incorrect or misleading information to users when processing search results, which is especially problematic when it comes to sensitive topics such as eugenics.

Eugenics has been wrongly used for some of the inhumane policies of history, so the accuracy and sensitivity of its information are particularly important. In addition, AI also has the problem of insufficient accuracy when identifying some specific things, such as distinguishing between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms.

This reminds us of the need to be extra cautious when using AI search tools for health and safety-related queries and to seek professional confirmation whenever possible.

Google AI, when providing “AI overview” answers, sometimes cites content from social media such as Reddit, which may have been originally intended for humorous or sarcastic purposes. This has resulted in some obviously erroneous or ridiculous answers being offered to users.

For example, one user reported that when asked how to deal with depression, Google AI actually suggested “jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.” Other answers absurdly confirm an anti-gravity ability that people can stay in shorts as long as they don’t look down.

These examples show that while AI has made progress in delivering search results, there are still shortcomings in accuracy and reliability that need further improvement.

Google’s partnership with Reddit is designed to make it easier for users to find and participate in communities and discussions that interest them. However, the collaboration also exposes some risks, especially when AI processes content from Reddit. Since the AI may not have the ability to discern the authenticity or context of the information, it may adopt and quote the information on Reddit without discrimination.

This indiscriminate adoption of information can lead to some misleading or even ridiculous suggestions appearing in search results. For example, the AI once gave an inappropriate suggestion that children should eat at least one small rock a day, and also incorrectly labeled the suggestion as coming from a geologist at the University of California, Berkeley. This example illustrates how AI can mislead by ignoring the credibility and suitability of information when processing information on the web.

While Google has removed or corrected some obviously ridiculous answers, AI-generated models sometimes produce inaccurate or fictitious answers, a phenomenon known as “hallucinations.” These “hallucinations” can be considered untrue statements because the AI is creating something that is not factual.

This suggests that AI needs to be improved in distinguishing the authenticity and context of information, and needs to be further optimized to ensure that the information provided is both accurate and reliable.

At the same time, Google AI has mistakenly recommended the use of glue to prevent cheese from slipping off the pizza, a suggestion that comes from a decade-old comment on Reddit.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT model has been a case of fabrication, including falsely accusing law professor Jonathan Turley of sexual assault based on a trip he was not involved in. This incident reflects the fact that AI may be overconfident in processing information and fail to accurately distinguish between authenticity and falsity of content on the Internet.

In addition, AI’s overconfidence can lead it to indiscriminately accept all information on the Internet as true, and this trust can lead to erroneous judgments, such as wrongly placing the blame on former Google executives and wrongly making guilty verdicts against companies in the context of antitrust laws.

When users search for pop culture-related questions on Google, the AI search suggested feature can sometimes lead to some humorous or confusing results. This may be due to the fact that AI may encounter challenges in understanding pop culture content, especially if it contains humor, satire, or a specific social context. It may be difficult for AI to accurately grasp the true intent of this content, resulting in suggestions or answers that may not match the user’s expectations, triggering some unexpected reactions.

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In addition, although the AI has updated its recommendations for children’s ingestion of rocks, noting that possible causes include curiosity, sensory processing issues, or eating disorders, these responses still require professional evaluation and should not be used as final guidance. This underlines the need to be extra careful and seek professional advice when using the information provided by AI, especially when it comes to health and safety.

Conclusion:

While Google AI’s search suggestions feature has made significant technological advances, its lack of accuracy and reliability can still lead to serious consequences. From the indiscriminate adoption of information on social media platforms such as Reddit, to misleading information on sensitive topics such as eugenics, to improper self-criminalization in the legal field, these incidents have highlighted significant shortcomings in AI’s information screening and judgment.

In addition, the problem of AI models fabricating facts or creating “hallucinations” also shows their limitations when dealing with complex problems. Therefore, we must be vigilant about the information provided by AI, seek professional advice, and call on developers and researchers to continuously improve AI technology to ensure that it brings more long benefits to humanity rather than risks.