Google AI Overviews Make Up Meanings for Made-Up Phrases

Google's AI Overviews have been found to make up meanings for nonsensical phrases, a phenomenon dubbed 'AI-splaining' by SEO expert Lily Ray. This behavior is not surprising, as AI has shown a tendency to either hallucinate or invent information when faced with insufficient data.

In a test of this trend, a made-up idiom - 'you can't shake hands with an old bear' - was given the response that it suggests the 'old bear' is an untrustworthy person. This is just one example of how Google's AI Overviews may make mistakes in their attempts to provide answers.

While this behavior can be amusing at times, such as when a made-up phrase about homemade ketchup is given a serious-sounding explanation, it can also be relatively harmless or even lead to more severe consequences. The article notes that Google warns users that AI Overviews may get facts wrong, and yet these summaries often appear at the top of search results.