Google's AI Overview feature has come under scrutiny for spreading misinformation about the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The AI mistakenly identified the aircraft involved as an Airbus, when in fact it was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This error has sparked concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content and its potential consequences.
The Air India plane crash occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, resulting in a significant number of fatalities. Google's AI Overview feature incorrectly stated that the crash involved an Airbus, causing confusion and misinformation to spread online. This mistake is particularly concerning given the potential impact on Boeing's reputation and stock prices, which plummeted by more than 5% following the crash.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of AI-generated misinformation, especially when presented as factual by a reputable source like Google. While some users have expressed concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content, others have suggested that Airbus could potentially sue Google for damages resulting from the misinformation.
In response to the incident, Google has removed the AI Overview feature for search results related to the plane crash, although it still appears for other queries. The company includes a disclaimer at the end of every AI Overview, stating that "AI responses may include mistakes." However, this disclaimer may not be enough to mitigate the damage caused by the spread of misinformation.
