Google Discontinues AI Search Tool That Offered Crowdsourced Medical Advice
Google has terminated an artificial intelligence search feature that delivered crowdsourced health advice from amateurs globally, according to exclusive reports. The company had promoted the tool, named "What People Suggest," as a means to harness AI for improving global health outcomes by connecting users with insights from individuals sharing similar medical experiences.
Feature Removal Amid Growing Scrutiny
The decision to scrap "What People Suggest" comes as Google faces increasing examination over its use of AI to provide health information to millions of users. A Google spokesperson confirmed the feature's discontinuation, attributing it to a "broader simplification" of the search results page and denying any connection to quality or safety concerns.
This revelation follows a Guardian investigation in January, which uncovered that false and misleading health information in Google's AI Overviews posed risks to users. These AI-generated summaries, displayed to approximately 2 billion people monthly and appearing above traditional search results, initially led Google to downplay the findings, citing links to reputable sources and expert advice recommendations.
Launch and Initial Promises
In March of last year, at an event in New York, Google announced plans to expand medical-related AI summaries in search, introducing "What People Suggest." The feature aimed to organize perspectives from online discussions into understandable themes, helping users quickly access real insights from others with similar conditions, such as arthritis sufferers seeking exercise tips.
Karen DeSalvo, then Google's chief health officer, emphasized in a blog post that while users seek reliable medical information from experts, they also value peer experiences. The feature was initially launched on mobile devices in the United States, with the company highlighting its potential to transform health outcomes through AI.
Quiet Discontinuation and Company Response
Three sources familiar with the decision revealed that "What People Suggest" has been quietly removed, with one stating, "It's dead." When questioned about the public announcement of this change, a Google spokesperson referenced a November blog post by John Mueller, a search advocate, which did not mention the feature. The spokesperson reiterated that safety was not a factor, and Google continues to assist users in finding reliable health information from various sources, including forums with first-person perspectives.
Ongoing AI Health Initiatives
Despite scrapping this feature, Google remains committed to AI in health. The company's upcoming "The Check Up" event will feature chief health officer Michael Howell and other staff discussing how AI research, technological innovations, and partnerships address global health challenges. This move underscores Google's ongoing efforts to balance innovation with safety in providing health-related information through its platforms.
