AI feature gives false information but Google still earns millions of dollars from advertising

Experts warn that unclear and dangerous misinformation is being spread through Google's AI features, urging users not to trust everything they see on Google.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai admits AI "hallucinations" are an unresolved problem - Photo: AFP

Google's AI overview appears at the top of search results, making many users believe it is true without verifying it, according to the Daily Mail on August 27.

Some of the misleading results might lead viewers to believe that scientists encourage chewing on ice, that pizza tastes better when eaten with glue, or that a Goldendoodle dog once played in the NBA.

Experts warn that this vague and dangerous information is being spread through AI overviews, helping Google and other fake news sources earn millions of dollars in advertising.

"Whether it's promoting herbs, supplements or junk food, they make money from it. It's becoming harder and harder to trust the information in search results," said professor Jennifer Stromer Galley, Syracuse University (USA).

AI overview confirms a Goldendoodle dog once played for the NBA - Photo: GOOGLE

After years of improvement, the results produced by AI today still contain many strange claims. Most recently, the Daily Mail discovered that AI overview displayed a false story about billionaire Jeff Bezos' mother's funeral before the funeral even took place. AI overview reported that billionaire Elon Musk and rapper Eminem attended the funeral when that was not true.

In July, the Dallas Express discovered an AI overview claiming that singer Diana Ross was arrested for drug possession and sent to rehab in 1992, despite no evidence.

Google defends the feature, saying most feedback is accurate and saying it will "take action" when it finds errors.

Many errors stem from the phenomenon of AI "illusion", which means AI generates false information that sounds very convincing.

However, fake news sites are also accused of exploiting algorithms to get into the AI ​​overview and be displayed prominently.

French journalist Jean Marc has listed more than 4,000 websites that spread fake news, often promoted by Google. They earn thousands of dollars a day from advertising from the large traffic they receive through Google Discover and Adsense.

Google gets a portion of its revenue from Adsense, meaning traffic to fake news sites also brings in millions of dollars for the company.

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ANH THU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tinh-nang-ai-dua-thong-tin-sai-song-google-van-thu-ve-hang-trieu-usd-tu-quang-cao-20250828120827401.htm