AI tools are often praised as powerful assistants capable of helping you research, code, summarize, and write—all while expanding your knowledge on virtually any topic. However, even the most advanced AI can sometimes stumble over simple questions. Recently, Google’s AI Overviews experienced a notable glitch when it incorrectly stated the current year as 2024, confusing many users.
Several users reported that when they asked Google what year it was, AI Overviews responded with 2024, even when it was not. I personally tested this on a Thursday morning and asked if it was 2025—only to receive the same inaccurate answer. Fortunately, Google addressed the issue later that evening and fixed the bug.
Google didn’t specify exactly what caused the mistake but mentioned they’re actively working on updates to prevent similar errors in the future. A spokesperson explained, “As with all Search features, we continuously improve and update our systems based on user feedback and examples like this. Most AI Overviews provide helpful, factual information, and we’re committed to resolving issues like this as quickly as possible.”
Google has been developing AI Overviews for several years, but the feature has had its share of amusing and puzzling mistakes. For instance, it once recommended eating “one small rock per day,” claiming rocks are a good source of vitamins and minerals. It’s also suggested adding glue to help cheese stick to pizza—definitely not the kind of advice you want to follow! When the feature launched in Hindi in India, TechCrunch found that its answers could be inconsistent and confusing, highlighting ongoing challenges.
Recently, Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the rapid growth of AI Overviews, revealing that the feature is now used by 1.5 billion people across more than 100 countries. He also shared that in key markets like the U.S. and India, AI Overviews accounts for over 10% of related search queries, emphasizing Google’s strong push to integrate AI-powered search and Q&A tools into everyday browsing.
