Google has stopped the operation of its new search feature "What People Recommend," which used artificial intelligence to share medical advice from ordinary people around the world. In essence, it was a platform where users could see the experiences of other people with similar illnesses or health conditions, writes The Guardian.
Illustrative image. Photo: freepik.com
The feature was introduced on mobile devices in the US, and Google actively promoted it as a way to help users quickly get information about practical approaches to diseases — for example, how people with arthritis exercise or adapt their daily routine.
Earlier, at a Google presentation, it was explained that this feature helps "organize diverse opinions from online discussions into easy-to-understand topics," and also provides links to additional sources so that people can explore the issue in more detail. At the time, the company emphasized that, in addition to traditional medical information from specialists, it was important for users to also hear about the real experiences of other people.
However, the feature was later quietly removed by the company. Google explained that this was done as part of "optimizing the search results page," and that the decision was not related to the quality or safety of the feature itself. Nevertheless, the company continues to emphasize that it helps users find reliable medical information, including forums and personal experiences of people.
The removal of the "What People Recommend" feature comes amid increasing criticism regarding the use of artificial intelligence for medical information. For instance, in January, journalists from The Guardian discovered that Google's AI-powered overviews could provide incorrect and even dangerous recommendations, which were seen by about 2 billion people per month. Google initially claimed that AI-powered overviews referenced reliable sources and recommended consulting experts, but later removed such overviews for some medical queries.
In the near future, however, Google plans to continue using AI to improve access to health information and intends to present new research, technologies, and partnerships that, in the company's opinion, will help solve important problems in this area.
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