You can try a little experiment with Google: input a made-up phrase followed by the word "meaning" and hit search. The results will potentially showcase Google’s AI Overviews feature, which astonishingly confirms gibberish phrases as real idioms, complete with fabricated definitions.
For instance, an invented saying like "a loose dog won’t surf" is presented as a way to imply that something is unlikely to happen. Similarly, "wired is as wired does" is defined as a phrase suggesting that a person’s characteristics are a direct reflection of their inherent nature, akin to a computer’s function.
While the responses are delivered with an air of authority—often bolstered by reference links—the reality is that these explanations are entirely fictitious. Google’s AI aims to please users and frequently supplies answers based on probability, rather than genuine knowledge. Therefore, when it encounters nonsensical queries, it attempts to provide satisfying responses—even if that means creating entirely new phrases and meanings that do not exist.
Experts note that the AI operates based on extensive training data but often misses the mark on specific phrases or uncommon knowledge. This phenomenon underlines a significant limitation in generative AI technology, which operates best within familiar contexts and struggles with outliers.
Moreover, AI systems typically avoid admitting uncertainty, preferring to fabricate answers when they do not have the information. A Google representative acknowledged that the systems are designed to yield the most relevant results, even for seemingly absurd queries, in an effort to provide useful context.
While this quirk in Google’s AI Overview may seem harmless and even entertaining, it serves as a reminder of the unreliability of AI-generated content. Users are encouraged to approach its outputs with skepticism and to verify information independently.
