Siri's AI Phantom Table Bookings Are Creating a Mess

Apple's Siri is facing backlash due to a glitch in its proactive AI calendar feature, which is erroneously creating phantom dinner reservations for users. This issue arises when users browse restaurant pages on OpenTable through Safari; Siri interprets these visits as actual bookings, leading to unwanted calendar entries and notifications. Users report confusion and embarrassment as these false reservations appear without context, complicating shared digital spaces, especially for families using shared devices. The problem highlights the challenges of integrating third-party services into Apple's ecosystem, as Siri's AI misinterprets browsing activity as confirmation of reservations. Apple is aware of the issue and plans to enhance Siri's capabilities in an upcoming iOS update, aiming for better accuracy in interpreting app data. The company is also working on a generative AI version of Siri expected in 2026, which promises improved context awareness. However, the current situation underscores the need for a balance between automation and user control, as the reliability of AI assistants is crucial for maintaining user trust.

- Siri's AI is creating false dinner reservations from OpenTable browsing.

- Users are receiving unwanted calendar alerts and notifications.

- The issue complicates shared device usage and raises privacy concerns.

- Apple plans to improve Siri's accuracy in future updates.

- The incident highlights the risks of overreaching automation in AI systems.