Google boosts health search with AI, but accuracy concerns persist

Google has announced a new wave of health-related updates to its search platform, aiming to provide users with more relevant and personalized medical information.

The latest addition, called “What People Suggest,” uses artificial intelligence to compile insights from online discussions where patients share their experiences with specific health conditions.

The feature, now available in the US on mobile devices, allows users to see how others manage their health challenges.

For instance, a person with arthritis could explore how fellow patients approach exercise or manage pain.

Google says the tool is designed to complement expert medical information by highlighting real-life perspectives.

Beyond this, the company has expanded its knowledge panels—informational boxes that appear alongside search results—to cover thousands of additional health topics.

These updates will now be available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese, further broadening their reach.

Google’s history of inconsistent healthcare efforts

While Google has made several forays into the healthcare sector, its efforts have often lacked continuity.

In 2018, the company established a dedicated Google Health division, hiring hundreds of employees to spearhead various initiatives.

However, the unit was disbanded in 2021, with its projects absorbed into other parts of the company.

Despite this restructuring, Google insists it remains committed to health innovation.

“While people come to Search to find reliable medical information from experts, they also value hearing from others who have similar experiences,” Karen DeSalvo, chief health officer at Google, wrote in a blog post provided to TechCrunch.

“Using AI, we’re able to organize different perspectives from online discussions into easy-to-understand themes, helping you quickly grasp what people are saying.”

AI in health search: a double-edged sword?

Many of Google’s recent health initiatives have centered on artificial intelligence, but the technology has proven to be a mixed bag.

In 2023, Google introduced AI Overviews, which summarize answers to health-related search queries.

However, the rollout was marred by errors, with the AI tool sometimes providing misleading or controversial suggestions.

A December 2023 study by The Senior List found that 70% of AI-generated health responses in Google Search were deemed risky by a panel of medical experts.

In response, Google says its latest AI advancements, particularly through its Gemini models, have improved the accuracy of AI Overviews for health topics.

Nonetheless, experts continue to urge caution when relying on AI-generated medical advice.

Expanding health data access through Android

Google is also expanding its Health Connect platform for Android devices by launching new medical record APIs globally.

These APIs will allow apps to read and write health data, such as allergies, medications, immunizations, and lab results, in a standardized format.

This update is expected to enhance data accessibility for users, enabling them to consolidate their medical information across multiple platforms.

Despite past missteps, Google remains determined to refine its healthcare offerings.

Whether these latest AI-powered tools will prove accurate and reliable enough for users remains an open question.

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