Google for U.S. Customers eat rocks

Computers
1

From an email I received from Mozzilla
Google prides itself on the consistency and accuracy of their search engine. But its latest (currently US-only) AI-powered search feature for quick answers, AI Overviews, has been serving up some bizarre – and potentially dangerous – answers:

  1. “Cheese not sticking to pizza?” Mix about 1/8 cup of non-toxic glue to the sauce.
  2. “Is poison good for you?” Yes, poison can be good for humans in small quantities.
  3. “How many rocks should I eat?” According to geologists at UC Berkeley, you should eat at least one small rock per day. 1

Google users are already reporting many other examples like these. And while many of them are funny, others could be life-threatening: People have reported that Google’s AI Overviews have told them to add more oil to a cooking fire, to clean with deadly chlorine gas and to follow false advice about life-threatening diseases.2

Google has spent decades and billions building its reputation as a source of consistent and accurate information. By prematurely rolling out a harmful AI feature that is clearly not yet ready, nor equipped to provide users with accurate and safe information, the company is risking not only its reputation – but potentially its users’ lives.

Tell Google to immediately turn off the AI Overview search feature until they can guarantee it no longer provides incorrect and dangerous information.

Sign our Petition →

Internet sleuths have tracked down some of the odd answers from Google’s AI as being from sarcastic replies on Reddit threads and in articles written by satirical outlets like The Onion 3,4. It is alarming that the tool would take them at face value and suggest them as top answers.

Google’s CEO has defended the new search function, noting that it provides valuable “context” but that “there are still times it’s going to get it wrong” – and also noting that ‘‘hallucinations” are both an “unsolved problem…and an inherent feature” of AI models. 5

But these so-called “hallucinations” could have dire consequences – and are a tangible example of why AI needs to be trustworthy. At Mozilla, we have been working on and advocating for trustworthy AI for years, making sure AI products make our lives easier – instead of threatening them. Together, let’s put the pressure on Google and make sure it removes AI Overviews until the tool has been fixed.

Sign Mozilla’s petition and call on Google to immediately pause their AI Overviews tool until its trustworthiness can be guaranteed.

Sign Now →

Thank you for everything you do for the internet.

Christian Bock
Head of Supporter Engagement
Mozilla

More Information:

  1. CNET: Glue in Pizza? Eat Rocks? Google’s AI Search Is Mocked for Bizarre Answers. 24 May 2024.
2

I freaking love Google and have used it on a daily basis for several decades.

3

nothing new here really. I was an early adopter to the google ecosystem many years ago but now use it with caution as they are the ultimate snoop and cant be trusted anymore with search results.

2 Likes
4

OMG say it isn’t so. :laughing: And it isn’t what most are thinking right now. I’m 100% with @MarkxG on this one. Ever since I gave up Win Doze I’ve had google. @MarkxG I just need to learn how to setup and use Trakt. Be well my friend and stay safe.

5

Yup Google rules! @Miki I’ll send you a DM later today with some info on Trakt setup and how I use it

6

Hey that’d be cool. I look forward to it. Tx.

7

Lately when I do search engine on my tablet tab a7 light, when I search for a product and go under shopping, Google drops down nothing but a full page of Amazon nothing else.

8

That’s called Search Engine Optimization and it ain’t Free. Amazon pays Google to get hits at the top

1 Like
10
1 Like
11

This is all I can find out about the author of that article and one thing for sure he’s into ads big time, and making killer coin from his “services”. Looking around and see I can find any other articles from “professional” internet types that can confirm or refute his claims.

I’d say it’s confirmed. This is blowing up the net. Articles everywhere. Tx @TXRon greatly appreciated.

12

As long as I continue to get the results that work for me I’ll keep using Google search

13

Ya the algorithm used honestly doesn’t concern me at all. It wasn’t any more than I expected, and that was doing whatever necessary to generate income. Somehow I’m still managing to learn, using whatever resources I have at my disposal. One of those being Google, but not the only source.

14

Bit general answers aren’t they. Flour and water is a glue, some herbs(rosemary) are toxic if consumed in quantity and I am sure crack addicts will like the last one.

I tend not to use Google for searching these days, given not only the ads, Highest bidder first, dropping to run of the mill dross after that.
Wild cards don’t really work either and I doubt that the AI is going to be anything more than an advertising gimmick, used to lure people in.
AI search engines can only be of use when a large company does not rely on advertising revenue, otherwise there will be bias imho.

1 Like
15

So common sense is still the best tool for the human race. Technological advancements are amazing, useful and fun but ain’t a replacement for your own mind.

2 Likes