Apple to Update AI News Notification Feature After Backlash Over Misleading AI Summaries
Apple has announced plans to release a software update to address concerns about its AI-powered notification summaries after several high-profile inaccuracies were reported. The feature, introduced in the UK in December across certain iPhone models as well as some iPad and Mac models, has faced criticism for misrepresenting news headlines from trusted sources, including the BBC.
The BBC complained about the feature last month after Apple Intelligence summarized one of its headlines to claim that Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself—a detail that was entirely false. More recently, the AI also incorrectly declared Luke Litter as the PDC World Darts Championship winner before the event had started and falsely stated that tennis star Rafael Nadal had come out as gay.
“These AI summarisations by Apple do not reflect—and in some cases completely contradict—the original BBC content,” the broadcaster said, urging Apple to act swiftly to address the issues as maintaining the accuracy of news content is essential for maintaining trust with consumers.
Apple acknowledged the issues for the first time on Monday, stating that the software update, expected in the coming weeks, will “further clarify when the text being displayed is summarization provided by Apple Intelligence.” The company also encouraged users to report inaccuracies, emphasizing that user feedback is instrumental in refining the technology. Apple also stated that receiving these summaries is optional and can be disabled through device settings.
The notification summaries, still in beta, aim to condense recent app notifications into a single alert for quick reading. However, their blunt and often misleading interpretations have drawn criticism from users and advocacy groups like Reporters Without Borders which called for the feature to be disabled until it becomes more reliable.
While the company insists the feature’s intent is to enhance user experience, critics argue that the risks of misinformation outweigh the convenience. As Apple prepares its update, the tech industry at large continues grappling with how to label and manage AI-generated content responsibly.
Apple is not alone in facing scrutiny for generative AI mishaps. Google, for instance, has dealt with backlash over its AI-generated search result summaries, which have occasionally produced erratic or inaccurate responses. Similarly, Meta had to adjust its AI labeling practices for images posted to their social media platforms following user complaints.
