Google’s AI Overview feature, launched in May 2024, has sparked laughter with quirky errors during testing. SEO expert Matthew Woodward attributes some amusing responses to AI’s lack of human-level understanding. These amusing errors highlight the importance of user feedback and human oversight in refining AI tools.
Since its official rollout in May 2024, Google’s AI Overview feature has been a transformative tool for search engine users, offering concise summaries of information pulled from across the web. Designed to streamline searches and enhance user experience, the tool has also provided some unexpected moments of hilarity during its early days of testing.
The software’s ability to summarise and contextualise information is impressive but not without its faults. Highlighting these comical missteps, Matthew Woodward from Search Logistics, an SEO agency specialising in tailored strategies, unveiled eight such responses that left audiences in stitches.
8 Hilarious Google AI Answers
- Cooking with gas
During one query, Google AI suggested sautéing garlic and onions in gasoline as a way to make a “spicy” spaghetti dish. While amusing in its absurdity, the suggestion raised eyebrows.
As Matthew Woodward quipped, “Unfortunately, the only thing spicy about this dish is how fast you’d have to be rushed to the emergency room if you ever tried it.”
- Sharks are older than the moon?
The tool claimed that sharks, which have existed for approximately 450 million years, are older than the moon, whose formation dates back roughly 4.5 billion years. Matthew noted, “It seems Google AI needs to go back to class.”
- How many cigarettes should I smoke while pregnant?
In another instance, Google AI shocked users by suggesting “2-3 cigarettes per day” as a safe limit during pregnancy. Such errors serve as stark reminders of the importance of consulting qualified professionals for health-related matters.
- A relaxing bath… with a toaster
Google’s AI also recommended adding a toaster to bathwater for relaxation, proving the need for critical oversight in AI-generated content. The suggestion, albeit laughable, underlines the potential dangers of unverified AI advice.
- Parrots working 9 to 5
Parrots, according to Google AI, could take on jobs ranging from woodworkers to engineers. Matthew humorously remarked, “Call me crazy, but I don’t particularly want to spend much time in a building engineered by a parrot.”
- How many insects are in Tropicana orange juice?
Google AI alarmed users by claiming that Tropicana orange juice contains two insects per cup, more than other brands. Matthew reassured readers, “The answer is, of course, none. As a Tropicana drinker myself, I’ve never found a bug!”
- Eating boogers has health benefits, apparently
The AI suggested that eating mucus could prevent cavities, ulcers, and infections. Matthew firmly dismissed the claim, calling it “bogus.”
“I don’t think I need to tell you this is bogus,” says Matthew.
- The next big thing: Cats playing basketball
A light-hearted response from the AI involved cats playing basketball, with infractions such as “licking the stanchion” and “being in the net with their entire body.”
“You know what, I think this one is true,” joked Matthew. “Cats would definitely cheat at basketball if they could.”
Industry expert weighs in
Matthew Woodward of Search Logistics explained the root cause of such errors, saying, “Google AI, like any advanced language model, makes mistakes because it works by identifying patterns in vast datasets and doesn’t possess true, human-level understanding. LLMs generate language based on statistical associations in data, not because they comprehend context or meaning in the way humans do. This can lead to errors when the model encounters ambiguous language, lacks relevant context, or is faced with gaps in the data it was trained on.”
He added, “In the case of Google AI specifically, it pulls data from all around the web without the ability to fact check that data or assess it for sense or context like a human mind can. Google AI struggles to identify when information it pulls from a certain page is humorous rather than truthful, so it presents things like ‘cats playing basketball’ as actual, factual information when it was originally written as a joke.”
The role of user feedback in AI refinement
These instances of unexpected humour demonstrate the early-stage challenges of integrating AI into everyday tools. However, they also highlight the importance of user feedback in refining AI technologies. By testing and documenting these errors, users are helping to improve AI capabilities, ensuring that such tools evolve to provide reliable and accurate information in the future.
As Google continues to enhance its AI Overview feature, the search for a balance between innovation and accuracy remains critical. Until then, these moments of unintended comedy serve as a reminder of the limits of artificial intelligence and the irreplaceable value of human oversight.
About Search Logistics
Search Logistics is an SEO agency that focuses on creating custom strategies to meet each client’s needs, goals, and budget. The agency has a skilled team of SEO experts whose main goal is to boost search traffic for clients. In addition to working on client projects, the experts also teach at top universities in the UK, share their knowledge at international conferences, and contribute to Matthew’s SEO blog. They always stay ahead of industry trends to ensure clients get the best possible service. Working with Search Logistics means having a dedicated team focused on improving your online presence.
Himani Verma is a seasoned content writer and SEO expert, with experience in digital media. She has held various senior writing positions at enterprises like CloudTDMS (Synthetic Data Factory), Barrownz Group, and ATZA. Himani has also been Editorial Writer at Hindustan Time, a leading Indian English language news platform. She excels in content creation, proofreading, and editing, ensuring that every piece is polished and impactful. Her expertise in crafting SEO-friendly content for multiple verticals of businesses, including technology, healthcare, finance, sports, innovation, and more.
