Google banned AI Mode from answering queries about Trump and dementia

Google has blocked the ability to get a generated answer from AI Mode to queries about Donald Trump's mental state, including questions about dementia, Alzheimer's disease or senile frailty. In such cases, instead of an AI Overview, users only see a list of 10 web links, The Verge reports.

The AI search engine's behavior varies depending on the name in the query. For example, if the query is for Joe Biden, Google AI Mode generates a summary text stating that there is no evidence or clinical diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. A similar approach is used for other politicians, such as Barack Obama: in such cases, an AI Overview appears with an explanation that there is no evidence of health problems.

The Verge journalists note that the restrictions apply specifically to Trump. Google did not explain the reasons for this difference, but indicated that "AI Overview and AI Mode do not always show answers to all queries."

Experts suggest that the company may avoid making generalized AI inferences on sensitive topics due to the risk of spreading misinformation or due to political sensitivities — particularly given Google's recent settlement of a $24.5 million lawsuit related to the blocking of Trump's YouTube account.