"Now Google has reframed the update as a "feature" that "performs well for user satisfaction." In other words, AI headlines are likely here to stay. That's despite the feature performing poorly for accuracy. AI-generated headlines in Discover sometimes state the opposite of what the news articles report and summaries routinely misrepresent information within those stories."
"In a statement, a Google spokesperson clarified to The Verge that what it is calling an "overview headline" actually "reflects information across a range of sites, and is not a rewrite of individual article headlines." The rollout of AI headlines in Discover follows a familiar pattern for the search giant, in which it trials AI integration in search as "an experiment," minimizes the update after backlash over accuracy problems, then expands and cements the update."
Google has shifted AI-generated headline rewrites in the Discover feed from an experiment to a stated feature, applying AI to headlines and snippets rather than showing publisher text. The company claims the overview headline "reflects information across a range of sites" instead of rewriting individual headlines. User satisfaction metrics reportedly support the change, but accuracy problems persist: AI summaries sometimes contradict article content and misrepresent facts. There are currently no clear disclosures indicating AI-generated copy in Discover. The rollout follows a pattern of trialing AI features, minimizing early backlash, then expanding functionality across search experiences like Web Guide.
Read at Nieman Lab
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