Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning

Three hikers were rescued from California’s Mount Shasta this week after using Google’s AI chatbot Gemini to plan their expedition. According to a report from the Siskiyou County sheriff’s office, the three men began their hike at 3 a.m. and reached the summit at 7 p.m., well past the recommended turnaround time. The trio attempted to descend in the dark, contacted the sheriff’s office for directions, and spent the 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 were advised by Gemini to bring far less food and water than required, especially as their planned 8-hour ascent turned into a multi-day ordeal. Authorities emphasized the importance of contacting local ranger stations for accurate trip information and warned against relying solely on AI for planning outdoor expeditions.