PSA: Don't rely on AI to plan anything that could put your life at risk... like a mountain climb

The Gemini chatbot told a group to summit Mount Shasta in eight hours and to bring only simple-carbohydrate foods, resulting in inadequate water, shelter, and warm clothing. The ascent took 16 hours; the climbers got lost, were rescued by forest rangers and the sheriff’s search team, and had to descend on foot due to severe weather. Siskiyou County officials now advise hikers to obtain accurate information from the ranger station rather than relying solely on AI.