Google quietly drops AI feature that offered crowdsourced health advice

Google has quietly pulled the plug on an experimental AI search feature that gathered health advice from online conversations, a shift that comes amid mounting scrutiny over the company's use of AI for medical information.

The feature, dubbed “What People Suggest,” aimed to condense health-related experiences shared by internet users and display them alongside standard search results. According to Google, the system leveraged AI to sift through comments and discussions scattered across the web, transforming them into brief summaries meant to shed light on how folks with similar conditions handle symptoms or day-to-day challenges.

That said, the tool has now been shelved. A handful of insiders familiar with the matter confirmed the feature is no longer live, and a Google spokesperson acknowledged its discontinuation.

The company framed the move as part of a broader push to streamline its search results layout—not necessarily a reaction to safety worries.

When launched, Google touted the feature as a way AI could broaden access to health info by blending real-life stories with expert insights. The idea was grounded in the notion that patients often look for both professional guidance and tips from others grappling with the same issues.

Take arthritis, for instance: someone searching might have encountered summaries showing how other patients discuss exercise regimens or coping mechanisms in online forums.

Initially, the tool appeared on mobile search results in the U.S.

Its removal arrives at a moment when tech firms face soaring pressure to guarantee the accuracy of AI-generated content—particularly in sensitive areas like healthcare, where misleading advice can have serious impacts.

Earlier this year, The Guardian uncovered that some users were exposed to inaccurate or potentially risky health info produced by Google's AI summaries. These “AI Overviews” show up atop many search pages, and billions see them monthly.

Back then, Google defended the system, emphasizing its AI summaries linked to credible sources and frequently nudged users toward consulting qualified professionals.

Shortly after, the company pulled back on AI-driven summaries for some medical searches, though the feature remains prevalent in other subject areas.

Meanwhile, Google keeps pumping resources into AI healthcare applications. At an upcoming event, company leaders plan to unveil new research, tech breakthroughs, and partnerships targeting global health challenges.

For critics and regulators alike, this episode underscores the growing friction between fast-paced innovation in AI-powered search tools and the vital need for trustworthy, well-vetted information—especially when medical advice could steer real-life choices.