Google has unveiled new AI-powered health-care AI features for Search, helping users compare their experiences with others and access reliable health information more easily.
The company introduced a new feature called “What People Suggest,” which leverages AI to compile online discussions from patients with similar health conditions. This tool allows users to explore how others manage their health, such as how people with arthritis approach exercise. The feature is now available on mobile devices in the U.S., Google confirmed.
In addition, Google is expanding its knowledge panels, the informational boxes that appear next to search results, to cover thousands of additional health topics. These panels will now be available in Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese, starting with mobile devices.
AI-Powered Health Features in Google Search
With these updates, Google is making it easier for users to find and compare health-related information through AI.
What People Suggest: AI-Driven Community Insights
- Uses AI to pull together online commentary from real patients.
- Allows users to compare their health experiences with others.
- Now available on mobile devices in the U.S.
Expanded Knowledge Panels
- Provides structured health information alongside search results.
- Now covers thousands of additional health topics.
- Expanded to more countries and languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Google’s History in Health-Care AI Features for Search
Google has been working on health-care AI initiatives for years but has struggled to develop a consistent business strategy in the sector.
The company launched a dedicated Google Health unit in 2018, which grew to over 500 employees before being dissolved in 2021. However, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s Chief Health Officer, reaffirmed Google’s commitment to health, stating:
“We are still all-in on health.”
Since then, Google has increasingly focused on AI-driven health solutions.
AI Overviews for Health Searches: A Mixed Success
In 2023, Google introduced AI Overviews, which generate quick summaries of search answers at the top of the results page. However, the rollout faced challenges, as users reported incorrect or misleading responses—including one bizarre instance where Google’s AI suggested adding glue to pizza.
For health-related queries, AI Overviews now appear for questions like “How do I know if I have the flu?”. However, a December 2023 study from The Senior List found that out of 200+ health searches, medical experts deemed 70% of AI Overviews to be risky.
To improve accuracy, Google has made health-focused advancements using its Gemini AI models.
Google’s Expanding AI Health Initiatives
Beyond Search, Google has been developing AI tools specifically for the health-care industry.
MedLM: AI for Health-Care Professionals
- A suite of AI models designed for medical research and clinical applications.
- Helps clinicians and researchers analyze complex studies.
- Assists in summarizing doctor-patient interactions and streamlining tasks.
Vertex AI Search for Healthcare
- A custom AI search platform launched in late 2023.
- Allows hospitals and clinics to integrate AI-powered search into their health-care systems.
- Helps clinicians and patients quickly access medical information from multiple data sources.
The Future of AI in Google Health
With AI transforming health-care, Google is integrating AI-powered features directly into Search and professional medical tools.
- “What People Suggest” gives patients a way to compare experiences and learn from others.
- Knowledge Panels now cover even more medical topics in multiple languages.
- Google’s MedLM and Vertex AI Search bring AI into real-world health-care applications.
As AI continues to evolve, will it help make health information more reliable and accessible—or will concerns about AI-generated inaccuracies persist?
One thing is clear: Google is betting big on AI’s role in the future of health-care.