Google’s AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, are triggered for complex queries when the system determines generative AI can be especially helpful. These summaries can help users quickly understand information from various sources. The AI Overview is powered by a customized version of Google’s Gemini model, supplemented with aspects of the company’s Search system, like the Knowledge Graph.
Some concerns have been raised about the potential for AI hallucinations or inaccuracies in the generated summaries. While Google’s Gemini chatbot includes a disclaimer about potentially inaccurate information, the AI Overviews simply state that generative AI is experimental. However, Google emphasizes that the implementation of generative AI is rooted in the platform’s core quality and safety systems, with guardrails in place to prevent low-quality or harmful information from appearing.
Despite these precautions, users are encouraged to verify the information provided in the AI Overviews by clicking through the webpage links. Google’s head of Search has indicated that AI Overviews will roll out to countries outside the United States by the end of 2024, potentially impacting over a billion people. This change has sparked apprehension among publishers and concerns about the reliability of AI-generated text for users unfamiliar with such technology.
While AI Overviews aim to save time for users seeking quick answers, there are lingering worries about the accuracy and trustworthiness of the information presented. As the feature expands to a global audience, the potential implications of AI-generated summaries continue to raise questions and concerns in the tech community.
