Goof-up by Google AI: Advises users to “drink urine to pass kidney stones quickly”
Earlier, Google’s Gemini AI, also known as Bard, came under fire for creating historically inaccurate and offensive imagery, leading to widespread criticism
Recently, Google had to halt its Gemini AI project due to it producing controversial images. However, the company is still facing challenges with its AI development, as revealed by its latest AI search feature, SGE.
The feature wrongly suggested users to “drink urine to treat kidney stones,” which was displayed to users for a brief period before being corrected. This incident has been a cause of embarrassment for Google, resulting in extensive online debates. Health and technology experts have criticized Google for this mistake. It is not the first time Google has faced AI-related issues, and this adds to the scrutiny on CEO Sundar Pichai, who has already faced pressure to resign earlier this year.
Gemini’s Missteps
Earlier, Google’s Gemini AI, also known as Bard, came under fire for creating historically inaccurate and offensive imagery, leading to widespread criticism. The issues weren’t limited to images; the AI also provided problematic text responses, including an inappropriate comparison involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai recognized the issues with the AI’s responses, citing bias and errors. Following the Gemini controversy, Pichai communicated with Google staff, labeling some of Gemini’s outputs as ‘unacceptable’ and taking responsibility for the mistakes. Prabhakar Raghavan, Google’s Senior Vice President, shared similar views in a blog post, admitting that the image tool had failed to meet standards.
Raghavan stated that some images were wrong or offensive, prompting Google to temporarily disable the feature and apologize to those impacted. The company stressed its commitment to accuracy, particularly regarding historical information.
Google’s AI Ambitions
Google remains committed to enhancing its AI technology, aiming to stay ahead in the competitive tech industry against companies like Microsoft. However, it’s clear that Google’s AI tools need improvement in terms of effectiveness and reliability. The rush to develop these tools, possibly in response to new competitors like OpenAI and Midjourney, may have led to incomplete solutions.
Google’s CEO recently released a statement reiterating the company’s commitment to responsible AI development. The statement emphasized the importance of creating AI products that are accurate, reliable, and transparent. Google and CEO Sundar Pichai face significant challenges as they keep up with AI advancements. Consistent mistakes and questionable AI outputs are threatening Google’s position in the AI field. Therefore, it is essential for Google to make substantial improvements to avoid repeated errors and controversial AI outcomes. For a leading tech company like Google, maintaining a stellar reputation is crucial.
