Google provides users with AI summaries on their search results, but can we trust the information it generates? An RMIT expert explains how Google's AI Overview works and how users can effectively use the tool.
Dr Oleg Zendel, Research Fellow in Search Systems and Computing Technologies
"The Google AI Overview uses RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) capabilities. This means it has access to up-to-date information and can search the web, but this doesn't mean it is always accurate.
"The nature of the AI Overview means that the response will always sound right and provide related attributes, however users need to evaluate those results and sources to check it's factual.
"AI Overviews are great for quick, everyday questions. But for important decisions, like visas or health advice, you should check an official website or speak to a professional.
"Tools like these can have a negative impact on search literacy and spark a shift in users being more passive and less critical in their searches."
Dr Oleg Zendel is a Research Fellow at RMIT University, based at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S). His recent work explores the integration of large language models (LLMs) with search technologies, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems.
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