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When did Google get so weird?

2011 points · 1123 comments · sancho-panza

  1. Hugsbox · · focus · HN ↗
    Yesterday I tried to google "can the Halifax Wanderers still make the CPL playoffs?"

    So obviously what appears right at the top is the AI summary, which told me "they've already secured their #4 position and made the playoffs". I knew this wasn't true, and I guess I could have just scrolled down a bit further and found my answer but now I was curious.

    So I said "that's not true, they're still #5, what I want to know is _could they still make the playoffs_"

    It says they've got an upcoming game against Ottawa, and if they win their chances are good. That game has already taken place, so I correct it again and finally I get a reasonable answer.

    My question is: what's the point of the AI in the search engine if it itself isn't going to use the search engine first before answering? Like, I can't wrap my head around that. The answer is on the same page as its hallucination. It could have done a cursory look around before first hallucinating something completely false, and when corrected the first time giving me outdated information. It's meant to be A SEARCH ENGINE!

    1. jmathai · · focus · HN ↗
      Google will stop being a traditional search engine because they believe they’ve found a more profitable version of it.

      One where their users don’t go off to other sites and where they can keep shoving ads in their face.

      1. pishpash · · focus · HN ↗
        I thought Google's original goal for a search engine was exactly this, answer any question whatsoever.
        1. jmathai · · focus · HN ↗
          Probably was. But they were not originally a giant ad company.

          A lot has changed and this technology for this Google is an unfortunate combination for consumers.

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