The 404 Media Podcast
Google Somehow Got Even More Shit
Wed May 29 2024Description
The episode discusses the issues caused by Google's new AI-powered features, including inaccurate and harmful responses. It explores the decline in search quality, the integration of AI with user-generated forums like Reddit, and the impact on human spaces online. The limitations of AI algorithms, potential conspiracy theories, and the use of AI-generated imagery are also examined.
Insights
User-generated forums vs Google's reputation
User-generated forums like Yahoo Answers and Quora contrast with Google's reputation as an authority for providing real answers. The integration of AI in Google's search results has led to surfacing poor content from Reddit, undermining both Google and Reddit's products.
Google's deteriorating search quality
There is growing concern over Google's deteriorating search quality due to SEO-driven content and inaccurate information being promoted. Users question the reliability of the provided information as Google shifts towards authoritative answers without human context.
Data scraping and impact on human spaces online
Google pays Reddit $60 million annually to scrape data for training language models, leading to controversial outcomes like inappropriate responses. The issue of AI, scraping, and the impact on human spaces online is a significant topic in the tech industry.
Limitations of AI algorithms and content pollution
Concerns are raised about the limitations of AI algorithms in distinguishing truth from popular but misleading information. Some individuals are considering switching to alternative search engines due to dissatisfaction with Google's current practices and AI-generated content.
Frustration with AI search results and potential conspiracy theories
The speaker expresses frustration with AI search results on Google, feeling it cheapens the experience and may lead to more hacking of Google. There is a discussion about potential conspiracy theories regarding Google disabling AI search results for certain individuals or journalists.
AI-generated imagery and tension between researchers and companies
Image-based disinformation is mostly AI-generated now, replacing manual editing techniques. Google researchers found that AI image generators are being used to create misleading content. There can be tension between researchers publishing academic work and the companies they are affiliated with.
Chapters
- Google's AI-powered features and the issues they are causing
- Contrasting user-generated forums with Google's reputation
- Strange queries, data scraping, and impact on human spaces online
- Deliberate content pollution and limitations of AI algorithms
- Frustration with AI search results and potential conspiracy theories
- AI-generated imagery and tension between researchers and companies
Google's AI-powered features and the issues they are causing
00:04 - 08:03
- Google's AI-generated responses have been providing inaccurate and sometimes harmful information to users
- Examples include Google suggesting adding glue to pizza sauce to prevent cheese from sliding off, endorsing smoking while pregnant, and cockroaches living in a person's penis
Contrasting user-generated forums with Google's reputation
07:39 - 15:29
- User-generated forums like Yahoo Answers and Quora can have low-quality content, which contrasts with Google's reputation as an authority for providing real answers
- Google's recent update integrating AI has negatively impacted its search results, leading to a decline in quality outcomes
- The integration of AI in Google's search results has led to surfacing poor content from Reddit, undermining both Google and Reddit's products
- Growing concern over Google's deteriorating search quality due to SEO-driven content and inaccurate information being promoted
- Google's shift towards authoritative answers without human context has changed the perception of its search engine functionality, causing users to question the reliability of the provided information
Strange queries, data scraping, and impact on human spaces online
15:07 - 23:07
- People often Google strange and unusual queries as part of regular usage
- Google operates at an immense scale, handling a wide range of queries beyond just common or boring searches
- Google pays Reddit $60 million annually to scrape data for training language models, leading to controversial outcomes like inappropriate responses
- Reddit faced backlash when it restricted API access, affecting third-party apps and moderators who relied on it for various functions
- The issue of AI, scraping, and the impact on human spaces online is a significant topic in the tech industry
Deliberate content pollution and limitations of AI algorithms
22:43 - 30:09
- There is discussion about deliberately polluting content to counteract data collection by companies like Google and Tumblr
- People are experimenting with searching for extreme or outrageous content to potentially influence AI algorithms
- The emergence of viral posts like 'mPreg Clippy' highlights how popular content can dominate search results, even if it lacks accuracy or relevance
- Concerns are raised about the limitations of AI algorithms in distinguishing truth from popular but misleading information
- Some individuals are considering switching to alternative search engines due to dissatisfaction with Google's current practices and AI-generated content
Frustration with AI search results and potential conspiracy theories
29:41 - 37:35
- The speaker expresses frustration with AI search results on Google, feeling it cheapens the experience and may lead to more hacking of Google
- There is a discussion about potential conspiracy theories regarding Google disabling AI search results for certain individuals or journalists
- Google's decision to push forward with AI despite negative feedback is questioned, with speculation that they may roll back the changes quietly in the future
- A paper by Google researchers highlights how AI-generated content has become a leading source of disinformation online
AI-generated imagery and tension between researchers and companies
37:22 - 43:17
- Image-based disinformation is mostly AI-generated now, replacing manual editing techniques
- Google researchers found that AI image generators are being used to create misleading content
- There can be tension between researchers publishing academic work and the companies they are affiliated with
- Google has been sensitive about researchers publishing papers under their official affiliation
- AI-generated imagery poses risks, as described by a Google researcher, despite Google pushing such products into the market