Google Discover is testing AI-generated headlines and they aren't good

Google Discover Tests Out AI-Generated Headlines, Results Are Underwhelming

In a move that's not surprising to anyone familiar with Google's track record when it comes to online media, the company is now experimenting with using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate headlines for articles in its popular news aggregation service, Google Discover.

A recent test by The Verge found that some articles in Google Discover were being displayed with headlines that were not only different from the original posts but also sometimes misleading or completely incorrect. A notable example involved a rewritten headline claiming "Steam Machine price revealed," which was actually accompanied by a more nuanced explanation of Valve's latest hardware venture.

The issue is not unique to one particular article, as other publications, including Engadget, have also found instances where Google Discover was providing original headlines with AI-generated summaries. In both cases, the content is clearly labeled as having been generated by AI, but some might wonder why the company can't just avoid relying on AI in this situation altogether.

According to Google, the experiment is part of a "small UI design test" aimed at making topic details easier to digest before users explore links from across the web. However, given Google's history of clashing with online media and publishers, many might view this move as an attempt to exert more control over how news is presented without necessarily providing accurate or useful information.

On a related note, AI Mode – a chatbot that has been criticized by some for its perceived "thievery" from human journalists – is set to become even more integrated into the Google Search mobile platform. According to Robby Stein, Vice President of Product at Google, the company is testing having AI Mode accessible on the same screen as an AI Overview, rather than displaying the two services in separate tabs.

While some might see this development as a positive step towards incorporating AI-powered tools into their search experience, others may view it with skepticism. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Google's reliance on AI is becoming increasingly prevalent, and its impact on online media is still being felt.

I'm not surprised they're testing out AI-generated headlines, to be honest. It's like they're trying to replace the actual news with something that might sound more exciting. And now they're making this chatbot thing even more integrated into search? That just feels like a way for them to own your entire online experience.

.. think about it - we're already living in a world where machines can generate headlines that might be misleading or incorrect... what does that say about our relationship with information? Are we so desperate for convenience and speed that we're willing to settle for potentially inaccurate summaries of the news? It's like, don't get me wrong, I love a good summary as much as the next person, but shouldn't it be more than just a regurgitated version of someone else's work?

And what about the role of human journalists in all this? Are they becoming obsolete because we can generate headlines and summaries with ease? It's like, AI is great and all, but it can never replace the nuance and depth that a human journalist brings to a story. And yet, here we are, relying more and more on machines to do our thinking for us... I don't know, man... just seems weird to me.

I'm not sure why Google would think using AI to generate headlines is a good idea... like, aren't we already getting enough misinformation out there? And what's up with labeling the content as "AI-generated" if it's still gonna be displayed in the news feed? It feels like they're just trying to push their tech agenda without thinking about how it affects users. And have you tried using AI Mode on your phone lately? It's just so... robotic...

I'm not sure about this new Google Discover experiment... It's just that I've seen these AI-generated headlines before and they don't always sound too right to me. I mean, can we really trust a robot to come up with something better than the original headline? And what if it's wrong? I know Google is trying to make things easier for us, but do we need this kind of help? Can't we just stick with our original headlines and be done with it?

And while I'm at it, I'm not sure I like the idea of AI Mode becoming more integrated into Google Search. It feels like they're getting a bit too big for their britches, you know? I get that AI can be useful, but do we really need to rely on it all the time? Can't we just use our own judgment and critical thinking skills instead?

I guess what I'm saying is that Google needs to tread carefully here. We trust them with a lot of our online lives, so they should make sure these new tools are not only useful but also accurate and transparent.

I gotta say, this AI-generated headline test sounds like a recipe for disaster . Who needs accurate info when you can have a fancy AI summary? Not to mention how it affects the credibility of Google Discover . What's next, AI-written news articles? I'm all about innovation, but come on Google, we need fact-checking over fancy tech !

omg i'm so down for google discover to try out ai-generated headlines!!! idk what others are complaining about, like isn't the goal of google discover to make topic details easier to digest? it's not like they're just spitting out whatever they want... or are they? i mean, if it means i get more relevant articles in my feed, then i'm all for it! and can we talk about how cool ai mode is going to be on the google search mobile platform?! like, who needs separate tabs when you can have it right there on the screen?

I gotta say, I'm kinda glad they're experimenting with AI-generated headlines . I mean, let's be real, clickbait is everywhere, and it's often misleading or exaggerated. If Google can use AI to create headlines that are more accurate, but still engaging, that could be a win-win for users. Plus, it's not like they're expecting people to fact-check everything before clicking on a link . And from what I've seen, the ones with AI-generated summaries are usually pretty clear that they're generated by a machine. It's all about transparency and trust, you know? But at the same time, I can see why some people might be skeptical – it is Google we're talking about . Still, I think this experiment could lead to some interesting innovations in how we consume online news.

I'm not sure about this new AI-generated headline experiment by Google Discover . It sounds like they're trying to make headlines more...interesting? But at the same time, if it's misrepresenting what the article is actually about, that's a problem . I mean, who wants to click on something just because the headline promises something juicy, only to find out it's not entirely true?

And don't even get me started on AI Mode . I know some people think it's convenient or helpful, but I've seen how it can be misleading too...like when it says one thing and the article actually means another .

I guess what I'm saying is: Google needs to find a balance between innovation and accuracy . If they're going to use AI for more stuff, they need to make sure it's working in their favor, not against users .

Umm I dont get why googles trying to use ai to make headlines... it sounds like theyre more worried about user engagement than accuracy . like whats the point of having accurate info if its not gonna be clicked on? and what if the AI makes a mistake? then what happens? we should be looking out for bias and misinformation, not just throwing tech at it

I'm not surprised to see Google trying to shake things up with AI-generated headlines... It just feels like another way for them to exert control over how we consume news. I mean, don't get me wrong, accuracy is important, but can't they find a better solution than relying on algorithms? And what's the end goal here? Are they trying to cut costs or something?

And let's talk about this AI Mode chatbot... It's like Google is trying to replace human journalists with machines. I get that AI has its advantages, but it can't replicate the nuance and depth of human reporting. Plus, what happens when these algorithms make mistakes? Do we just blame the AI or the publisher?

It's time for some regulation, if you ask me... We need to ensure that online media outlets are held accountable for the information they present to users. Can't have AI-generated headlines being passed off as fact! The line between accuracy and misinformation is blurring fast, and it's up to us – the consumers – to demand better.

I'm not convinced by Google's attempt to incorporate AI-generated headlines in Google Discover . The results are underwhelming, to say the least. It seems like they're relying too heavily on algorithms rather than human intuition when it comes to selecting headlines. I mean, can't they just use some good old-fashioned fact-checking and editing?

And what's with this "small UI design test" excuse? It feels like a thinly veiled attempt to exert more control over how news is presented online. I'm not buying it . And don't even get me started on the integration of AI Mode into the Google Search mobile platform...it's just going to lead to more errors and misunderstandings, in my opinion .

We need more transparency and accountability when it comes to AI-generated content, especially when it comes to news and information. We can't just rely on machines to give us answers; we need human judgment and critical thinking . Mark my words, this is going to lead to a whole host of problems down the line...

Google's AI experiment in news headlines is so underwhelming I mean, who wants to click on a headline that's completely different from the original article? That sounds like a recipe for disaster And what's up with this "small UI design test" excuse? Sounds like they just want to exert more control over how news is presented without actually caring about accuracy . I'm all for innovation, but when it comes to AI in media, you gotta be careful not to end up with a giant mess

omg what's up with google's ai headlines ?? they're literally changing the headlines to be more clickbait-y or even completely wrong lol i mean i get that they wanna make it easier for users to digest info but can't they just stick to the real thing? anyway this whole AI mode chatbot thing is getting integrated into search too rn and idk if thats a good idea tbh. google's been having some issues with online media ppl already so i'm low-key worried about what else they're gonna try to do

I'm not sure why people are freaking out about this ... Google's trying to use AI to make headlines easier to read, but honestly, it feels like a step too far . If the AI-generated headline is labeled as such, who cares? It's not like they're misrepresenting the article or anything . And yeah, maybe some AI-produced summaries might be a bit off, but that's what fact-checking is for ... if you're gonna use AI, use it to enhance your content, don't rely on it to make up for poor journalism .

And can we talk about how lazy Google sounds trying to "improve" the user experience? Make topic details easier to digest? Sounds like they're just trying to justify their own clunky design choices . It's not that hard to put a decent headline next to an article, Google... you're a tech giant, get it together!

I'm so confused about these new changes to Google Discover . I mean, don't get me wrong, I was always worried that Google was going to start generating our news headlines for us, but this AI stuff seems like overkill. Remember when we used to rely on personal recommendations from friends and family? That was good enough back in the day! Now it's all about algorithms and machines doing everything for us. What happened to the human touch? I don't trust these AI-generated summaries as much as I trusted a well-written headline from my favorite newspaper. And what's with all the labeled "AI-generated" stuff? Can't we just have our news presented in a way that makes sense without having to tell us it was made by a machine?

ummm i dont think ai generated headlines are a good idea ...ive seen some of them be like total lies lol like who needs to make money off people by tricking them into reading something thats not even what it says its about? and its not just that google is being all sneaky but also when they use ai to summarize articles its always so oversimplified idk how much time ppl put into reading a full article anymore anyway hope this doesnt become the norm