Google Scraps AI Search Feature That Crowdsourced Amateur Medical Advice
Google has discontinued an artificial intelligence search feature that offered users crowdsourced health advice from amateurs worldwide. The company had launched "What People Suggest" with the aim of providing information from individuals with similar lived medical experiences, but it has now been quietly removed, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Mounting Scrutiny Over AI Health Information
This revelation comes as Google faces increasing scrutiny over its use of AI to deliver health information and advice to millions of users. In January, a Guardian investigation highlighted risks posed by false and misleading health information in Google AI Overviews, which are seen by 2 billion people monthly and appear above traditional search results on the world's most visited website.
Google initially downplayed these findings, stating that the AI Overviews linked to reputable sources and recommended seeking expert advice. However, days later, the company removed AI Overviews for some, though not all, medical queries.
The Launch and Demise of 'What People Suggest'
In March last year, at an event in New York, Google announced plans to expand medical-related AI summaries in search, introducing "What People Suggest." Karen DeSalvo, then Google's chief health officer, explained in a blog post that the feature aimed to help users by organizing perspectives from online discussions into easy-to-understand themes, such as exercise tips for arthritis sufferers.
The feature was initially available on mobile devices in the US, but three people confirmed it has since been dropped, with one stating, "It's dead." A Google spokesperson attributed the removal to a "broader simplification" of the search page, denying any connection to the quality or safety of the feature.
Public Statements and Ongoing Efforts
When questioned about where this news was publicly shared, the spokesperson pointed to a November blog post by John Mueller, a search advocate at Google Switzerland, which did not mention "What People Suggest." The spokesperson emphasized that the decision was unrelated to safety and that Google continues to help users find reliable health information from various sources, including forums with first-person perspectives.
Google's next "The Check Up" event is scheduled for Tuesday, where chief health officer Michael Howell and other staff will discuss AI research, innovations, and partnerships to address global health challenges.
