Three hikers were rescued from California’s Mount Shasta after using Google’s artificial intelligence chatbot Gemini while planning their expedition, according to reports. 

The three young men began their journey at about 3am but failed to follow the recommended turnaround time for hikers who had not reached the summit by noon.

Instead, the group continued climbing and eventually reached the summit at approximately 7pm. With darkness setting in, the hikers attempted to descend the mountain but later contacted the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with directions. 

They eventually spent the night in Mud Creek Canyon before being rescued the following morning by Forest Service rangers and volunteers.

Authorities said Gemini may have contributed to the situation by advising the hikers to carry significantly less food and water than their group required. 

What was planned as an eight hour ascent ultimately became a multiday ordeal, leaving the hikers in a potentially dangerous situation in difficult mountain terrain.

The incident has renewed concerns about relying solely on artificial intelligence for outdoor safety and travel planning. 

The sheriff’s office advised hikers to contact the local Mount Shasta ranger station before beginning an expedition in order to obtain current information about conditions, routes and safety requirements.

Officials also stressed that AI tools should not replace professional guidance when planning potentially dangerous activities. 

While it remains unclear how much responsibility should be attributed to Gemini for the hikers’ decisions, the incident demonstrates the risks of treating AI generated recommendations as a substitute for local expertise and proper preparation.

Source:Techcrunch