Andrew Gregory, “Google scraps AI search feature that crowdsourced amateur medical advice”

Gregory, Andrew. “Google scraps AI search feature that crowdsourced amateur medical advice.” The Guardian, March 16, 2026 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/16/google-scraps-ai-search-feature-that-crowdsourced-amateur-medical-advice

Gregory writes about how Google originally introduced an artificial intelligence search feature called “What People Suggest” which provided crowdsourced health tips from strangers (amateurs) across the globe. However, Google has recently quietly removed said feature in an effort to simplify the search page. A Google spokesperson claimed the decision had nothing to do with the quality or safety of the feature. Gregory also discusses how, in the past, The Guardian had conducted an investigation on the Google feature and found people being put at risk of harm by false and misleading health information.

This article gives an important perspective on how, even with the good intentions it can be created with (strangers sharing their health experiences and providing suggestions), AI has the potential to widespread misinformation.