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Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning

The sheriff’s office said the hikers “were advised by Gemini to bring far less food and water than their group required."

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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