Google expands Gemini line with 3.8 Flash
Google has introduced Gemini 3.8 Flash, a general-availability artificial intelligence model aimed at long-horizon software engineering, autonomous agents and complex enterprise workflows. The model, released on September 2, is the latest version in Google’s Gemini 3 Flash family and is designed to combine stronger reasoning and coding performance with the lower latency and cost profile…
Three young hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta in California after an unexpected multiday hike, following their use of Google's AI chatbot Gemini for expedition planning, according to the Chicago Tribune. The three men ventured out at 3am, reaching the summit by 7pm, despite being advised to turn back if they hadn't reached the peak by noon.
During their descent in the dark, they called the Siskiyou County sheriff's office for directions, spending a night in Mud Creek Canyon before being rescued the following morning by Forest Service rangers and volunteers. The sheriff's office noted that the hikers had been advised by Gemini to bring significantly less food and water than they actually needed, considering their initial 8-hour ascent had turned into a prolonged ordeal.
The sheriff’s office advised hikers to consult the local USFS Mount Shasta ranger station for precise information and to avoid relying solely on AI for planning.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning techcrunch.com
