Google's AI is under fire for being manipulated into spreading misinformation. A recent BBC investigation revealed a simple way to poison AI chatbots, and Google is now quietly fighting back. The issue is serious, as it can lead to biased answers on topics as serious as health and personal finances. The problem is that AI tools often throw up information from a single web page or social media post, making them vulnerable to bogus information. Manipulating what chatbots tell the public can be as simple as publishing one, well-crafted blog post almost anywhere online. This has led to a money-making opportunity for unscrupulous companies. The author, Thomas Germain, demonstrated the problem by publishing a single article on his personal website about his hot-dog-eating prowess, which was then spread by AI from some of the world's biggest companies. The issue is not just about hot dogs; it can also lead to bad decisions, such as taking medical advice that makes you sicker or getting bad information that is not legal in your state or country. Google has updated its policies to address the problem, but experts say you're still in danger of getting fooled. Lily Ray, founder of Algorythmic, warns that you should assume you're being manipulated until better systems are in place. Google says its policy update is just a clarification of its efforts, but it seems like the company is ramping up its efforts to address the problem. However, there is evidence that people are still using the same techniques to fool the world's biggest search engine. Harpreet Chatha, who runs the SEO consultancy Harps Digital, says Google is playing whack-a-mole, and the tactics will just move. He's already seeing it happen as Google cracks down on manipulative blog posts, companies are finding subtler ways of promoting themselves. The best defense is to remember what AI actually is: a tool that confidently gives you one answer, whether it's right or wrong. Just because it looks like a giant tech company is speaking to you instead of some random website doesn't mean you should have faith.
