For example, when it was asked what the normal range for liver blood tests was, the AI would give false numbers due to lack of information. Nationality, age, and sex are all factors that play a role in determining the correct results. Therefore, someone could believe they are healthy when they should have actually been seeking medical attention. "Google's AI Overviews can put inaccurate health information at the top of online searches, presenting a risk to people's health,"
Google disabled specific queries, such as "what is the normal range for liver blood tests," after experts contacted by The Guardian flagged the results as dangerous. The report also highlighted a critical error regarding pancreatic cancer: The AI suggested patients avoid high-fat foods, a recommendation that contradicts standard medical guidance to maintain weight and could jeopardize patient health. Despite these findings, Google only deactivated the summaries for the liver test queries, leaving other potentially harmful answers accessible.
British news outlet The Guardian investigated how Google AI overviews could put people at risk and even harm them. It was revealed that in the blurbs at the top of the search results, misleading and false information was spread by the AI. For example, when it was asked what the normal range for liver blood tests was, the AI would give false numbers due to lack of information. Nationality, age, and sex are all factors that play a role in determining the correct results.
But some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm. In one case that experts described as really dangerous, Google wrongly advised people with pancreatic cancer to avoid high-fat foods. Experts said this was the exact opposite of what should be recommended, and may increase the risk of patients dying from the disease.
