Google has canceled a new AI search tool that provided users with crowdsourced health advice from amateurs around the world.
A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company has removed the ‘What People Suggest’ feature. The move is part of a “broader simplification” of the search page.
When asked about the safety reasons, the spokesperson said: “It had nothing to do with the quality or safety of the feature, and we continue to help people find reliable health information from a range of sources, including forums with first-person perspectives that people find incredibly useful.”
The company previously called the feature a “revolutionary use of AI to transform health outcomes worldwide” as it offers medical advice from people who have experienced similar medical conditions.
Karen DeSalvo, then Google’s Chief Health Officer, wrote a blog post stating, “As people look for trusted medical information from experts, they also appreciate hearing from others who have similar experiences.”
He added: “That’s why we’re making it even easier to find this kind of information on Search with a new feature called ‘What People Suggest’.”
As reported by the Guardian, the recent revelation comes as the company faces increasing scrutiny over its questionable use of AI in delivering health advice to millions of users.
A report from the Guardian found that Google AI Overviews was responsible for endangering human lives through misleading information.
Days later, Google also limited the Google AI Summaries feature to some medical questions about security issues.
