In a move that highlights the challenges of providing reliable health information through artificial intelligence, Google has scrapped a new AI search feature that crowdsourced health advice from amateurs around the world. The feature, known as 'What People Suggest', was launched as part of Google's efforts to transform health outcomes across the globe using AI.
As reported by The Guardian, Google had initially touted the feature as a way to provide users with valuable insights from people who have similar medical experiences. However, the company has since quietly removed the feature, citing a 'broader simplification' of its search page. A Google spokesperson confirmed that 'What People Suggest' had been scrapped, but claimed it had nothing to do with the quality or safety of the feature.
The revelation comes as Google faces mounting scrutiny over its use of AI to provide health information and advice to millions of users. In January, a Guardian investigation found that people were being put at risk of harm by false and misleading health information in Google AI Overviews, which are shown to 2 billion people a month. Google initially sought to downplay the findings, but later removed AI Overviews for some medical queries.
Background and Development
In March last year, Google announced plans to expand medical-related AI summaries in search, including the launch of 'What People Suggest'. The feature was designed to provide users with information from people with similar lived medical experiences, using AI to organize different perspectives from online discussions into easy-to-understand themes. Karen DeSalvo, then Google's chief health officer, wrote a blog post outlining the feature and its potential benefits.
However, the feature was met with criticism from experts, who raised concerns about the reliability and safety of crowdsourced health advice. Despite these concerns, Google initially made the feature available on mobile devices in the US. According to three people familiar with the decision, 'What People Suggest' has since been dropped, with one person saying 'it's dead'.
Google's Response and Future Plans
A Google spokesperson said that the feature was turned down months ago as part of a broader simplification of the search results page. However, when asked where the news was 'shared publicly', the spokesperson pointed to a blog post from November last year that makes no mention of 'What People Suggest'. The spokesperson also claimed that safety was not a factor in the decision to scrap the feature.
Google's next 'The Check Up' event is scheduled for Tuesday, where Chief Health Officer Michael Howell and other company staff will discuss how the company is bringing together new AI research, technological innovations, and partnerships to address some of the world's most pressing health challenges. The event will likely be closely watched, given the ongoing scrutiny of Google's use of AI in healthcare.
Implications and Future Directions
The abandonment of 'What People Suggest' highlights the challenges of providing reliable health information through AI, and the need for careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits. As Google continues to develop and deploy AI-powered health features, it will be important for the company to prioritize transparency, safety, and accuracy. The company's efforts to address these challenges will be closely watched, both by experts and by the millions of users who rely on Google for health information and advice.
