There have been reports that Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) summary function may put people at risk by providing incorrect health information.
The Guardian, a British daily, reported that the “AI Overview” displayed at the top of Google has been shown to threaten people’s health by providing inaccurate health information. Google has emphasized that the “AI Overview” function, which uses Generative AI to simply present key information on a specific topic or question, is useful and reliable. However, the Guardian’s investigation found this to be untrue. For example, Google advised pancreatic cancer patients to avoid high-fat foods. However, this is the opposite of the recommendation, and experts pointed out that it could increase the risk of death. Anna Jewel, research and support manager at pancreatic cancer charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, explained, “If you follow the search results as it is, it will be difficult to eat enough calories or gain weight. Then you may not be able to withstand chemotherapy or lifesaving surgery.”
In addition, when searching for the normal range of liver blood tests, incorrect information was provided that could be misunderstood by liver disease patients as healthy. Only a large number of figures were listed, but there was little explanation for the evidence, and differences were not considered according to the nationality, gender, race, and age of the patient. In response, Pamela Healy, head of the liver disease charity Inter-British Trust, pointed out, “It is dangerous for people with serious liver disease to think of their test results as normal and not receive follow-up treatment.”
The Guardian reported that after several health organizations and medical experts raised concerns about inaccurate health information, they investigated Google’s “AI Overview” and confirmed a number of such cases. Sophie Randall, director of the Patient Information Forum, which provides health information, stressed, “This case shows that Google’s “AI Overview” can put inaccurate health information at the top of an online search, posing a risk to people’s health.”
Google said the majority of the information provided by “AI Overview” is useful based on facts and continues to improve the quality of the function.
A Google spokesperson explained that many of the cases presented are “incomplete screenshots,” and that AI Overview is linked to a well-known and reliable source, and recommends asking for expert advice.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
