Google Removes AI Health Overviews Following Guardian Investigation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 12, 2026

Guardian Inquiry Spurs Change in AI Health Results

In a swift response to recent scrutiny, Google has removed its AI-generated overviews for several health-related queries following an investigation by the Guardian. The investigation uncovered that responses to queries, such as “what is the normal range for liver blood tests,” failed to account for important factors like nationality, sex, ethnicity, or age, potentially misleading users about their health status.

Selective Removal and Query Variations

According to updated findings, AI overviews have now been removed for the specific queries “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and “what is the normal range for liver function tests.” However, related queries such as “LFT reference range” or “LFT test reference range” may still trigger AI-generated summaries. An early test conducted hours after the Guardian story confirmed that in several instances the overviews were absent, with Google even offering the option of an AI mode to handle the query. In some cases, the Guardian article documenting the change emerged as the top result.

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Google’s Position and Internal Review

A Google spokesperson noted that the company does not publicly “comment on individual removals within Search” but emphasized its commitment to “making broad improvements.” An internal team of clinicians reviewed the contested queries and concluded that in many instances the information provided was accurate and supported by high-quality sources. Despite this, the selective removal highlights an ongoing challenge in balancing AI innovation with user safety in sensitive areas such as healthcare.

Industry Reactions and Broader Implications

Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy at the British Liver Trust, welcomed the removal as “excellent news.” However, she cautioned that focusing on a single search result misses a larger concern: the overall reliability of AI overviews in health contexts. This sentiment underscores the broader debate on the integration of AI in healthcare information delivery—a field where precision and accountability remain paramount.

Continued Evolution in Health Search Technology

Last year, Google introduced a suite of new features designed to enhance healthcare-related search outcomes, including refined overviews and dedicated health-focused AI models. While these steps signal a proactive approach, the incident highlights the persistent need for rigorous oversight as AI technologies evolve and intersect with critical health information.

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Euro Area Trade Surplus Squeezed In November 2025 As Machinery Exports Slide

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2026

The euro area recorded a €9.90 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in November 2025, marking a notable decline from the €15.40 billion surplus in November 2024. Eurostat’s latest data points to a cooling in international trade activity, driven primarily by weaker exports of manufactured goods, despite improvements in the energy sector.

Declining Exports And Imports

In November 2025, the euro area’s exports fell to €240.20 billion, a 3.4 percent drop from €248.70 billion a year earlier. Imports declined by 1.3 percent to €230.30 billion, compared with €233.30 billion in November 2024. This contraction in trade was mainly due to reduced activity in the manufacturing sector, which was only partially offset by gains in energy.

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Sectoral Shifts: Improvement In Energy Performance

Among the notable shifts, the energy sector showed substantial improvement. The energy deficit was narrowed significantly, decreasing from a minus €24.30 billion in November 2024 to minus €17.60 billion in November 2025. This improvement underscores strategic adjustments in energy-related policies and investments aimed at mitigating broader economic challenges.

Year-To-Date Performance And Trends

For the first 11 months of 2025, the euro area achieved a total surplus of €152.70 billion, a decrease from €156.80 billion in the same period of 2024. During this period, exports to the rest of the world increased by 2.3 percent to €2.70 trillion, while imports edged up by 2.6 percent to €2.55 trillion. Intra-euro area trade also grew by 1.6 percent, reaching €2.42 trillion, reflecting steady domestic market activities within the single currency bloc.

European Union Trade Outlook

Across the wider European Union, the trade surplus in November 2025 stood at €8.10 billion, compared with €11.80 billion in November 2024. EU exports fell by 4.4 percent to €213.80 billion, while imports declined by 2.9 percent to €205.70 billion. Although the energy deficit improved, shrinking from €28.20 billion to €20.40 billion, weaker performance in key manufacturing segments, particularly machinery and vehicles, weighed on the overall balance.

Over the first 11 months of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €122.40 billion, down from €128.00 billion in the same period of 2024. Exports and imports increased by 2 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, while intra-EU trade grew by 2.2 percent to €3.82 trillion. The data points to mixed trends across EU trade rather than a uniform pattern of expansion or contraction.

Seasonally Adjusted Insights

On a seasonally adjusted month-to-month basis, figures for November 2025 show that euro area exports increased by 1.1 percent and imports by 2.5 percent, resulting in a surplus of €10.70 billion. In the European Union, exports rose by 2 percent and imports by 3.5 percent, yielding a seasonally adjusted surplus of €8.80 billion.

During the three months from September to November 2025, trade with non-euro and non-EU partners revealed divergent trends. Manufactured goods continued to face challenges, while energy-related trade showed relative strength.

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