Google shuts down experiment offering peer-to-peer AI health tips

Google has officially discontinued its experimental AI feature, “What People Suggest,” which allowed users to receive health advice from crowdsourced perspectives shared by others with similar medical experiences. 

The company confirmed the move on Monday, describing it as part of a “broader simplification” of its search interface.

The feature, originally hailed as a “revolutionary use of AI to transform health outcomes globally,” aimed to combine AI with human insights, offering users personal experiences alongside standard medical guidance. 

Former Google Chief Health Officer Karen DeSalvo explained that while users seek expert medical information, they also appreciate hearing from peers who have navigated similar conditions.

A Google spokesperson clarified that the removal was not related to concerns over the safety or quality of the feature, stating, “We continue to help people find reliable health information from a range of sources, including forums with first-person perspectives that people find incredibly useful.”

The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over AI-powered medical advice. Reports earlier this year highlighted safety risks associated with Google AI Overviews, which were found to occasionally provide misleading health information. Google subsequently restricted certain AI-generated health queries to minimize potential harm.

Though the crowdsourced feature has been removed, Google continues to emphasize providing users with trustworthy health guidance while exploring safer, more reliable ways to integrate AI into healthcare search.