Apple has stopped an AI feature that made wrong summaries of news headlines after a complaint from the BBC.
The issue came up when the AI system sent false alerts, using the BBC logo, to some iPhone users. One alert claimed Luigi Mangione, accused of killing a UnitedHealthcare CEO, had taken his own life. Other errors included saying Luke Littler won the PDC World Darts final before playing and that Rafael Nadal had announced he is gay.
Apple said the feature will be paused in its next software update and plans to fix it in the future. False alerts also affected other news outlets, such as one incorrectly stating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested.
Apple’s statement said: “Notification summaries for the news and entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable. We are working on improvements and will release them in a future update.”
The feature, available in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, aimed to simplify news notifications by grouping them on users’ lock screens. Critics, including the UK’s National Union of Journalists, argued it contributed to spreading misinformation.
Apple is now working on a safer version of the tool that will warn users of possible errors. A BBC spokesperson welcomed Apple’s decision, saying: “We’re pleased Apple has listened to our concerns and paused the feature. Accuracy is essential for building trust with audiences.”
Source: theguardian
