How Google's AI-generated mushroom images can trigger a health crisis
What's the story
Google's search engine has been found to display artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images of mushrooms, a potentially harmful error that could mislead foragers. This issue was first identified by MycoMutant, the moderator of the Reddit community r/mycology, which is dedicated to all things related to fungi. The problem arises when these inaccurate images are used as references for identifying edible mushrooms, posing a significant risk to those who rely on them.
Misrepresentation
AI images misrepresent real mushroom species
The issue was highlighted when MycoMutant searched for Coprinus comatus, a fungus also known as shaggy ink cap or shaggy mane. The first image that appeared in the Google snippet above the search results was an AI-generated one, which did not accurately represent the real mushroom. This image was sourced from Freepik, a stock image site where it was clearly labeled as "AI-generated" and incorrectly tagged as "Coprinus comatus."
Recurring issue
Google's image snippets often feature incorrect images
MycoMutant revealed that this is not an isolated incident, as they have frequently noticed Google snippets featuring incorrect images for various mushroom species. Two years ago, they had reported a similar issue where an inaccurate image was used for Sepula. Despite their attempts to alert Google about these inaccuracies, the problem persists.
Impact
Incorrect images could impact AI identification algorithms
MycoMutant expressed concern over the potential impact of these incorrect images on AI identification algorithms. They suggested that the prominence of these images in Google's search results, could lead bots to trust them as reliable sources, potentially resulting in a cascade effect on the accuracy of AI identification algorithms. This could result in databases for mushroom species being filled with dangerously incorrect information.
Safety concerns
New York Mycological Society echoes concerns
Elan Trybuch, the Secretary of the New York Mycological Society, echoed MycoMutant's concerns about the potential dangers of AI-generated mushroom images. He emphasized that many people rely on visual references for quick information, and inaccuracies in these images could have serious consequences. Trybuch urged search engines to not only remove such content from their results, but also clearly label any suspected AI generative art.