Though Google only added ‘AI Overview’ to its search engine a few weeks ago, the public’s backlash has already been fierce.
And with good reason. When the article is printed, the top of the page should include a brief synopsis of useful responses to frequently asked topics. For instance, if someone wants to learn how to tie a tie, they should be given a succinct, easy-to-follow tutorial on the most common knots.
However, the real world is rather different. Numerous screenshots of the AI tool providing absurd, inaccurate, and downright unsettling answers have been shared on social media by users.
Check them out by scrolling down, and be sure to read the interview we had with Dr. Toby Walsh in between the photos.
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The issue stems from the fact that artificial intelligence is unable to decipher any text symbol. It cannot understand the meaning of the words it generates, even if you can train it to do so.
“ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overview are examples of generative AI systems that lack subjectivity. “They simply replicate content they frequently come across on the internet,” Toby Walsh, an AI professor at UNSW Sydney and the author of “Faking It! Artificial Intelligence in a Human World,” stated to Bored Panda.
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One of the most striking illustrations of the limitations of modern AI technologies—which Elon Musk said will surpass human intelligence by 2026—are these summaries.
“Obscure topics are likely to give generative AI the most difficulty,” Walsh clarified. Despite the obvious dangers of eating rocks, no one had warned against it on the internet. However, because of their “good” mineral content, one satirical article from The Onion did propose that you should. Sadly, AI is unable to distinguish between reality and satire.”
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The BBC was informed by a Google representative that these were “isolated examples” and that the functionality was generally functioning properly.
“The examples we’ve seen are generally very uncommon queries, and aren’t representative of most people’s experiences,” the statement from the business stated.
“The vast majority of AI overviews provide high-quality information, with links to dig deeper on the web.”
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Google continued, “We conducted extensive testing before launching this new experience, and as with other features we’ve launched in Search, we appreciate the feedback.”
“We’re taking swift action where appropriate under our content policies, and using these examples to develop broader improvements to our systems, some of which have already started to roll out.”
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However, we don’t use its search engine for comedic purposes. Professor Walsh continued, “Rolling something like this out is a risky strategy for Google.”
“We’re accustomed to relying on Google to deliver accurate search results. Google needs to always remember that we can switch to a different search engine with just a single click.