Google removes some AI summaries after health information errors

Google removed AI Overviews for certain liver-test queries after a Guardian investigation found they gave inaccurate health information; Google says it is reviewing and updating summaries while health groups remain concerned.

Google has removed some AI-generated health summaries after a Guardian investigation reported they provided inaccurate information about liver blood tests. The summaries, called AI Overviews, appear at the top of some search results and offer short answers to user queries. The Guardian found the Overviews listed numerical reference ranges with little context and without accounting for factors such as age, sex or nationality. Health charities and patient information groups warned that those presentations could give false reassurance to people with serious conditions. Known details: - The Guardian investigation reported that AI Overviews gave misleading or incorrect information for queries about normal ranges in liver function tests. - Google removed AI Overviews for the specific search terms "what is the normal range for liver blood tests" and "what is the normal range for liver function tests" after the reporting. - Google said it reviews examples provided to it, works to make broad improvements, and noted that internal clinicians reviewed some items and found many were supported by high-quality sources. - Patient groups including the British Liver Trust and the Patient Information Forum said concerns remain because similar AI Overviews still appear for other health topics such as cancer and mental health. Summary: The removals addressed specific liver-test queries identified by the Guardian, while other flagged Overviews remain accessible on some health topics. Undetermined at this time.