Do you trust Dr. Google or AI?

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I do, probably too much. Less so Gemini. But ChatGPT tends to come in for me reliably. If I REALLY need a reliable source, more digging is probably needed.

 

[luvmyfam444]

yep and the disney docs but I do usually still go to the dr if suggested

 

[hardcorestitch]

Dr Google

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Just to clarify, if a medical diagnosis is needed, I go to the doctor. But if I need info on a potential medication, I'll still search for it, just to see general things like will it make you drowsy, half life, etc.

 

[Targetumaz]

Yeah, same here honestly. ChatGPT’s usually solid for quick info or brainstorming, but if it’s something I really need to be accurate on, I’ll still double-check a few sources.

 

[Miffy]

AI? No.

But there's a difference between AI searches and Google searches, because Google will show a list of sites you can choose from and, for example, the Mayo Clinic is a more reliable source of factual information than Quora is.

I use Google searches all the time for many different topics, but I am very careful about the sources. With AI, they don't even cite where they got the info from, and I find the AI answers on Google searches--now shown at the top of the Google page--to often be dead wrong.

 

[BrianL]

AI? No.

But there's a difference between AI searches and Google searches, because Google will show a list of sites you can choose from and, for example, the Mayo Clinic is a more reliable source of factual information than Quora is.

I use Google searches all the time for many different topics, but I am very careful about the sources. With AI, they don't even cite where they got the info from, and I find the AI answers on Google searches--now shown at the top of the Google page--to often be dead wrong.

Yup - not a chance I will take medical advice from AI. I might do some of my own research, mostly so I can arm myself with questions for a professional healthcare provider. I would look at sites like the Mayo Clinic and other well-known and reputable medical establishments.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Just to clarify, I don't trust either for medical information; that's what my doctor is for. I might look up simple facts, such as half lives of drugs, or their brand names (I always go by generic names - I don't say Zoloft, I say Sertraline, etc.)

But for help with my hypnotherapy sessions, information on projects, and so on, I am happy to go to ChatGPT or Deep Seek to rescue me.

 

[RedHead0186]

Depends on your definition of "Dr. Google." If using Google to look up something and it gives you a list of sources that you can then cull through to find primary, reputable sources, then yes. If you're talking about Google AI (or anything AI/LLM), then no. I have found those to be wrong more times than they are right (for lots of different pieces of information). I might use AI as a starting point and then move to find my own reputable sources, but I will not outright trust what comes out of AI for anything.

 

[RedHead0186]

I use Google searches all the time for many different topics, but I am very careful about the sources. With AI, they don't even cite where they got the info from, and I find the AI answers on Google searches--now shown at the top of the Google page--to often be dead wrong.

At least some AI models do cite their sources. For example Google AI will have the little 'link' icon to show where it pulled the info from. We use Copilot at work and it does the same thing. I can't speak for other AI models, though.

I do agree that oftentimes AI answers are outright incorrect (I love when they contradict themselves, lol).