Last week, Google users encountered a strange bug. When they asked, “What year is it?” Google’s AI Overview replied: “2024.”
The glitch surprised many. Users shared screenshots on social media. Some even tested it again—only to get the same wrong answer.
This happened in late May 2025. The issue affected multiple users. Even journalists saw the error firsthand. Google finally fixed the bug on Thursday evening.
The Bug in Brief
AI Overviews is part of Google Search. It summarizes answers using artificial intelligence. The feature usually appears at the top of search results.
In this case, it failed to answer a simple question. It insisted the current year was 2024. The mistake lasted for several days.
Google did not explain the cause. A spokesperson only stated that an update is in progress. The company also claimed most AI Overviews are accurate. Still, this mistake highlighted a problem.
Google’s AI Has Made Mistakes Before
This was not the first error. AI Overviews has shared wrong or odd advice in the past. Some examples:
- It once claimed eating “one small rock per day” could boost health.
- It advised adding glue to pizza so the cheese would stick.
- In India, its Hindi responses were confusing and inconsistent.
These errors may seem funny. But they raise real concerns. AI can sound confident—even when it’s wrong. That’s risky.
What Is AI Overviews?
AI Overviews is designed to simplify search. It gives quick answers instead of just links. The tool gathers information from many sources. Then it creates a short, readable summary.
Key facts about AI Overviews:
- It’s used in over 100 countries.
- It serves 1.5 billion users.
- It powers more than 10% of search activity in the U.S. and India.
Google is betting big on this tool. CEO Sundar Pichai promotes its success often. Still, every mistake threatens its credibility.
Why This Bug Matters
This glitch may look minor. But it reveals deeper problems. People rely on Google for accurate answers. Even small errors can shake that trust.
Trust in Search Is Crucial
Users expect Google to be right—especially about basic facts. When it gets something simple wrong, they may start to doubt other answers.
AI Can Mislead
AI doesn’t know facts. It predicts what to say based on patterns. So it can make things up or misread sources. Even worse, it often sounds very sure of itself.
Errors Spread Fast
A wrong answer can go viral. Others may repeat or believe it. That’s a big risk, especially for young users, students, or casual readers.
How Google Responded
Google fixed the bug quickly. But it offered little detail about the cause. Instead, it shared a general statement:
“As with all Search features, we rigorously make improvements and use examples like this to update our systems,” a Google spokesperson said.
The company also said it’s working on an update to prevent similar errors. That may take time.
