Google is reportedly scrambling to block multiple search inquiries for its AI Overviews following reports of the search filter suggesting wildly incorrect answers.
Google spokesperson Meghann Farnsworth told The Verge that the company is already "taking swift action" to moderate search inquiries on the AI per its content policies.
(Photo : David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Several news outlets have already reported that the AI-powered search filter provides inaccurate and even dangerous answers to search inquiries, including advice telling people to add Elmer's glue to their pizza or running with a scissor in hand beneficial to their health.
The problem has even spread towards political topics as CNN reported of the AI saying that former President Barrack Obama was a Muslim.
Tried to recreate the embarrassing Google AI overviews error @MelMitchell1 pointed out that falsely claims President Obama was the first Muslim president.
Turns out, you get a very different answer depending on if you put a question mark or not in your search query pic.twitter.com/RpWUpIgCPl— Shirin Ghaffary (@shiringhaffary) May 23, 2024
With the AI resourcing most of its answers on online conversation and content, the answer is highly likely taken from conspiracy theories in 2015 hinting Obama was supposed to be a Muslim.
Google retained that the inaccurate results are "uncommon queries," promising that the AI Overviews produce "high-quality information" to users more often.
Google Search's AI Overviews was among the latest features the tech giant launched as part of integrating the controversial Gemini AI across multiple products and platforms.
Also Read: Google Search AI Overviews is Suggesting Inaccurate, Dangerous Answers
Generative AI Hallucinations Haunt Google Products
This was not the first that Google's Gemini AI has been criticized for inaccurate answers amid growing concerns about the company's ethics in AI development.
Earlier this year, Google paused the image generation feature for the chatbot after it was reported of producing racially inaccurate depictions of historical figures.
As of writing, Google has yet to provide a clear confirmation that the issue with the image generation has been resolved.
The Time Magazine has earlier put out an article criticizing Google's current AI plan, pushing a "one size fits all" approach rather than carefully building individual tools for specific tasks.
One of Google's former employees and AI pioneer Geoffrey Hilton also highlighted similar concerns as the tech giant ramps up the development process at the cost of its safety to catch up with competitors.
Related Article: Google Search Will Soon Introduce Ads on AI Overviews
Instructions on How to Turn Off AI Overviews Trend on Google Search
Amid controversies surrounding the AI filter, inquiries about how to turn off AI Overviews recorded a surge in Google Search.
Instructional articles and videos on how to disable the feature have also started popping out on YouTube and Google as more people bash the feature on social media.
