Three hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta in California this week after using Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence chatbot to plan their expedition. according to the Chicago Tribune.
A report from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said three young men set out on their hike at 3 a.m., and although hikers are told to turn around if they haven’t reached the summit by noon, they reached the summit at 7 p.m.
The trio then attempted to descend in the dark, called the sheriff’s office for directions and spent the night in Mud Creek Canyon before being rescued the next morning by Forest Service volunteers and rangers.
While it is unclear whether Gemini can take full blame for these poor decisions, the sheriff’s office said Gemini advised hikers to bring much less food and water than their group needed, especially when their planned 8-hour climb turned into a multi-day ordeal.
“It is always advisable to call your local USFS Mount Shasta Ranger Station before your trip to ensure you have the most accurate information and never rely solely on AI for your trip planning,” the sheriff’s office said.