Google's "AI Overviews" provides direct answers at the top of search results for questions like medication for headaches.
The Gemini large language models power AI Overviews, but early errors have included incorrect cooking and car maintenance advice.
AI models consume significantly more energy than traditional search engines, raising environmental concerns about their sustainability.
Operating large language models is expensive, with AI exchanges potentially costing 10 times more than traditional search queries.
AI models generate substantial greenhouse gases, comparable to driving a gas-powered car for 49 miles per day.
Cooling AI servers requires significant water, with some estimates highlighting high water usage per AI response.
Data centers, including those housing AI servers, currently use 1.5% of global energy, projected to double by 2026.
Tech companies like Google and Microsoft are investing billions in new data centers to support the growing power needs of AI technologies.