Business
Don’t blindly trust what AI tells you, Google boss tells BBC
Faisal Islam,economics editor,
Rachel Clun,business reporter and
Liv McMahon,Technology reporter
Getty ImagesPeople should not “blindly trust” everything AI tools tell them, the boss of Google’s parent company Alphabet has told the BBC.
In an exclusive interview, chief executive Sundar Pichai said that AI models are “prone to errors” and urged people to use them alongside other tools.
Mr Pichai said it highlighted the importance of having a rich information ecosystem, rather than solely relying on AI technology.
“This is why people also use Google search, and we have other products that are more grounded in providing accurate information.”
However, some experts say big tech firms such as Google should not be inviting users to fact-check their tools’ output, but should focus instead on making their systems more reliable.
While AI tools were helpful “if you want to creatively write something”, Mr Pichai said people “have to learn to use these tools for what they’re good at, and not blindly trust everything they say”.
He told the BBC: “We take pride in the amount of work we put in to give us as accurate information as possible, but the current state-of-the-art AI technology is prone to some errors.”
The company displays disclaimers on its AI tools to let users know they can make mistakes.
But this has not shielded it from criticism and concerns over errors made by its own products.
Google’s rollout of AI Overviews summarising its search results was marred by criticism and mockery over some erratic, inaccurate responses.
The tendency for generative AI products, such as chatbots, to relay misleading or false information, is a cause of concern among experts.
“We know these systems make up answers, and they make up answers to please us – and that’s a problem,” Gina Neff, professor of responsible AI at Queen Mary University of London, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“It’s okay if I’m asking ‘what movie should I see next’, it’s quite different if I’m asking really sensitive questions about my health, mental wellbeing, about science, about news,” she said.
She also urged Google to take more responsibility over its AI products and their accuracy, rather than passing that on to consumers.
“The company now is asking to mark their own exam paper while they’re burning down the school,” the said.
‘A new phase’
The tech world has been awaiting the latest launch of Google’s consumer AI model, Gemini 3.0, which is starting to win back market share from ChatGPT.
The company unveiled the model on Tuesday, claiming it would unleash “a new era of intelligence” at the heart of its own products such as its search engine.
In a blog post, it said Gemini 3 boasted industry-leading performance across understanding and responding to different modes of input, such as photo, audio and video, as well as “state-of-the-art” reasoning capabilities.
In May this year, Google began introducing a new “AI Mode” into its search, integrating its Gemini chatbot which is aimed at giving users the experience of talking to an expert.
At the time, Mr Pichai said the integration of Gemini with search signalled a “new phase of the AI platform shift”.
The move is also part of the tech giant’s bid to remain competitive against AI services such as ChatGPT, which have threatened Google’s online search dominance.
His comments back up BBC research from earlier this year, which found that AI chatbots inaccurately summarised news stories.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s Gemini and Perplexity AI were all given content from the BBC website and asked questions about it, and the research found the AI answers contained “significant inaccuracies“.
Broader BBC findings have since suggested that, despite improvements, AI assistants still misrepresent news 45% of the time.
In his interview with the BBC, Mr Pichai said there was some tension between how fast technology was being developed and how mitigations are built in to prevent potential harmful effects.
For Alphabet, Mr Pichai said managing that tension means being “bold and responsible at the same time”.
“So we are moving fast through this moment. I think our consumers are demanding it,” he said.
The tech giant has also increased its investment in AI security in proportion with its investment in AI, Mr Pichai added.
“For example, we are open-sourcing technology which will allow you to detect whether an image is generated by AI,” he said.
Asked about recently uncovered years-old comments from tech billionaire Elon Musk to OpenAI’s founders around fears the now Google-owned DeepMind could create an AI “dictatorship”, Mr Pichai said “no one company should own a technology as powerful as AI”.
But he added there were many companies in the AI ecosystem today.
“If there was only one company which was building AI technology and everyone else had to use it, I would be concerned about that too, but we are so far from that scenario right now,” he said.
Waitrose is set to remove mackerel from its shelves amid escalating concerns over unsustainable fishing practices.
The retailer said that it is the first major UK supermarket to suspend sourcing of the popular fish.
It said that fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel, primarily sourced from Scottish waters, will be unavailable to shoppers by 29 April. Tinned varieties will follow once the current stock is depleted.
Conservationists are welcoming the move and urging other supermarkets to follow suit.
The measure comes as governments have repeatedly failed to implement catch limits recommended by scientists, jeopardising the long-term viability of mackerel stocks.
The International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has issued stark warnings, advising a 70 per cent reduction in catches for 2026 across all regional mackerel stocks compared to 2025’s recommended levels.
With the stock consistently fished above sustainable thresholds, this translates to a 77 per cent cut on the 755,143 tonnes scientists estimated would be caught in 2025.
Overfishing has resulted in depleting mackerel stocks in the north-east Atlantic, with Ices saying the species, and the wider fishing industry, could face long-term risks unless countries stick to recommended catch limits.
Waitrose said the decision in December by four of the coastal states which fish mackerel to cut catches by 48 per cent was a step forward, but did not meet Ices advice.
North-east Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet the supermarket’s responsible sourcing requirements in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition codes of conduct, the retailer said.
Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, said: “By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish.
“Our customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery.
“We look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards.”
As alternatives, Waitrose is launching a new range of fish products including hot smoked herring, hot smoked peppered herring and hot smoked sweetcure seabass, all of which are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified.
The retailer said it would also introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines from May as a sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, and plans to become the first retailer to sell 100 per cent MSC tinned sardines.
Waitrose said it would maintain its relationship with its mackerel suppliers and its new supply of herring, seabass, sardines and trout will be sourced through current supplier partnerships.
But there is currently no predetermined time-frame as to when Waitrose will start sourcing mackerel again.
Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans.
“We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.”
Charles Clover, co-founder of conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation, said mackerel – one of the largest remaining commercial fish stocks in the north-east Atlantic – had declined 75 per cent in the last 10 years because fishing nations, including the UK, had overfished it.
“They have put too little effort into the task of reaching agreement on a sharing arrangement – and some countries have been awarding themselves more quota than is justified by science,” he said.
“This crisis has been ignored for too long.
“We hope that this action by Waitrose sends it to the top of the political agenda. We call on other retailers to follow Waitrose’s example.”
The arrival of a salary credit message at the beginning of the month often brings a sense of relief and optimism, with many planning to save money or make long-delayed purchases. However, for a large number of salaried individuals, that confidence fades quickly as expenses begin to pile up. Rent, electricity bills, EMIs, online purchases, dining out and everyday spending gradually reduce bank balances, leaving many struggling by the third week of the month. (News18 Hindi)
Financial experts say that recurring cash shortages are often not caused by insufficient income but by poor money habits. Small and unnoticed mistakes in managing personal finances can gradually weaken long-term financial stability. The good news, experts note, is that these habits can be corrected with simple changes and better planning. (News18 Hindi)
1. One of the most common mistakes is the absence of a proper budget. Many people begin spending as soon as their salary is credited without deciding in advance how the money will be used. Without a clear spending plan, expenses tend to rise uncontrollably. Experts recommend allocating money for essential needs such as rent, groceries, utility bills and savings immediately after receiving a salary. Preparing a simple budget by listing fixed monthly expenses in a notebook or mobile app can help maintain financial discipline. (News18 Hindi)
2. Frequent small online purchases also contribute significantly to unnecessary spending. With doorstep deliveries and frequent discounts, cashback offers and flash sales, consumers often buy items that are not essential. While individual purchases may seem minor, repeated spending of a few hundred or thousand rupees can add up to a substantial amount by the end of the month. Financial planners advise clearly distinguishing between needs and wants before making purchases. (News18 Hindi)
3. Another major mistake is the absence of an emergency fund. Unexpected expenses such as medical bills, urgent travel or home repairs can disrupt monthly budgets. Without savings set aside for emergencies, many individuals rely on credit cards or loans, which can lead to debt and reduce the following month’s disposable income. Experts suggest building an emergency fund gradually, ideally covering at least three months of essential expenses. (News18 Hindi)
4. Saving only what remains at the end of the month is another common but ineffective approach. In most cases, little or no money is left after regular spending. Financial advisers recommend setting aside savings as soon as the salary is credited, a strategy often referred to as the “pay yourself first” principle. This method helps create a consistent saving habit. (News18 Hindi)
5. Spending to maintain a certain lifestyle is also a growing concern, particularly in the age of social media. The desire to match others’ lifestyles often leads to purchases such as expensive gadgets, branded clothing or frequent dining out, even when these expenses exceed one’s income. Experts warn that such spending patterns can increase financial stress and recommend aligning lifestyle choices with income and financial priorities. (News18 Hindi)
To improve financial discipline, experts advise reviewing expenses from the previous three months to understand spending patterns. Based on this assessment, individuals can create a simple plan that divides income into spending, saving and investing. Automated savings options such as Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) or recurring deposits can help ensure consistent saving. Even small financial changes, experts say, can lead to significant long-term benefits. (News18 Hindi)
Rolls-Royce has announced a significant surge in its annual profit, climbing by £1 billion, alongside an upgraded financial outlook for the coming years.
The engineering powerhouse attributed this robust performance to substantial military aircraft orders and burgeoning demand for powering data centres.
The company reported an underlying operating profit of £3.5 billion for 2025, marking a 40 per cent increase from the £2.5 billion achieved in the previous year.
Underlying revenues also surpassed £20 billion over the period, representing approximately a tenth’s rise compared to 2024.
This impressive growth was fuelled by strong profit and sales across its civil aerospace, defence, and power divisions.
Rolls-Royce highlighted particularly strong demand for its defence products, securing major orders throughout 2025. The firm stated its various business units are well-positioned to capitalise on “key global trends” in the years ahead.
This included contracts worth more than £1.5 billion with the UK’s Ministry of Defence and the US’s Department of War for EJ200 and AE 2100 engines to power military aircraft.
New orders for the Eurofighter aircraft engines from Italy, Germany and Spain, as well as export agreements from Turkey, will drive production into the 2030s, it said.
Furthermore, Rolls-Royce said it was benefiting from growing demand for power generation, driven by data centres with revenues up by more than a third.
Rolls-Royce said it was now expecting underlying operating profits to increase to between £4.9 billion and £5.2 billion by 2028 following the strengthened financial performance in 2025.
This is significantly higher than the £3.6 billion to £3.9 billion range that it had previously been targeting.
Chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said growth would not have been possible “before our transformation”, with the business making £600 million worth of cost savings since 2022.
“With our new capabilities and mindset, we have navigated challenges from supply chain to tariffs, and delivered a strong performance in 2025, all while we built the foundations for significant growth for years to come,” he said.
“Based on our 2026 guidance, we expect to deliver underlying operating profit within the prior mid-term guidance range two years earlier than planned.
“Beyond the mid-term we continue to see significant growth from existing businesses as well as from new business opportunities.”
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