Am I being unreasonable to think that users should be able to opt out of AI?

[AmazingGreatAunt]

Just that. I have no search engine that does not come up with some form of patronising AI rubbish, even if I ask a short, very precise question.
If challeged, whatever bot backs down and profusely apologises for being wordy and making assumptions.
This is driving me mad.
For example, I did a Google search on a restaurant that I went to over 20 years ago, to confirm that the amazing chef was no longer there.
When I said that I was sure of the confirmation that he is no longer cooking there, but it was sad, because he was an exceptional chef, I got half a page of guff about my feelings!
FGS I never metioned any feelings. Added to that I was still not given the chef's current location.
If anyone can give me a search engine that works on Mac Os and does not automatically use AI, I sould be grateful.
PS. This site uses is as well...

Ironically AI would tell you how to turn off the AI on google.

But part of this weirdness is you, you needed to google a restaurant so why did you tell AI it was sad the chef left because he was exceptional and then get annoyed when AI gave you a tailored response to your emotions?

FGS I never metioned any feelings

But you wrote back that it was sad the chef left so you did mention your feelings.

Don't challenge the bot nor tell it you're sad. You're simultaneously saying you don't want AI and also engaging with it. Agree it should be easily optional out able. Or, better a deliberate option in especially on things like Google searches. But if you don't like it, also don't engage with it.

I've switched to duckduckgo for many reasons (not being tracked the main one). This browser let's you choose whether you have AI searches.

Vivaldi browser: https://vivaldi.com

I have no problem with AI giving inaccurate responses - it trains people not to rely on AI as the be all and end all of everything and to apply some critical thinking!

I once googled my local farm shop, which happens to be run by the father of a close friend. The AI response (unasked) told me that the funeral of the owner was taking place that afternoon. Appalled, I googled when did X die? It confidently gave me that days date and confirmed, yes, the X who ran Y Farm Shop. So, that’s when I smelled a rat. No one’s funeral is on the same day they died.
Reader, he wasn’t even ill. But it was an awful thing to read. Since then I use Duck Duck Go with no AI as my default browser.

Duckduckgo now has AI.
I am in Europe on a VPN set to the UK.
The whole thing is total nonsense,
A few weeks ago I was told that a restaurant, which has been at the same address since 1931, was suddebly located 10km north. It is not.
Just be very careful.

You can turn AI off on DuckduckGo, I have.

I have worked for 38 years in IT PM, what is happening now is just bizarre and far too US-orientated.

It dies, but you can turn it off unlike the other browsers.

Thanks, I will have a look at the options.
What a farce.

You may as well try to opt out of gravity.
It is here to stay, there is no escape for anyone.

You probably can turn it off if you login and sort out your settings! But as someone else said, it’s too late now. People worried about climate change and air con should also be concerned with all the water that’s being used to cool the data centres so they can return all the crap convo they spew out!

@AmazingGreatAunt. If you put -ai after a search question it doesn’t use it.

I'm not sure I understand the issue. Why don't you just scroll past the "AI overview" and look at the ordinary search results?