Algorithms · March 2014Gaffe level: Typo
Google Flu Trends Got the Flu Wrong Three Years Running
Google Flu Trends overestimated flu cases for three years running, predicting roughly twice as many peak doctor visits as the CDC recorded. Big data, bigger error bars.
Source: New Scientist
Google's Flood Hub Brings AI Flash-Flood Warnings to 2 Billion People
Google's Groundsource system forecasts urban flash floods up to 24 hours ahead, and through Flood Hub it now reaches 2 billion people in more than 150 countries. The Southern African Development Community used the beta version to request monitoring of flood events, and partners used the forecasts to warn of flooding in Vietnam three days before Typhoon Matmo made landfall.
Source: Seoul Economic Daily