Apple says it will update AI feature after BBC complaint

Apple is facing increasing pressure to withdraw its AI news alert feature, known as Apple Intelligence, due to concerns over the accuracy of its generated summaries. The feature, designed to summarize breaking news notifications, has produced several false claims, leading to significant criticism from media organizations, including the BBC and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The BBC highlighted instances where the AI inaccurately reported events, such as falsely stating that a man had shot himself and incorrectly claiming that a darts championship had already concluded. Alan Rusbridger, former editor of the Guardian, described the technology as "out of control" and a risk for misinformation. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) echoed these sentiments, urging Apple to act swiftly to prevent public misinformation. In response to the backlash, Apple stated it is working on clarifying that the summaries are AI-generated and plans to implement updates in the coming weeks. However, critics argue that these measures do not adequately address the underlying issues, as they place the onus on users to verify the accuracy of the information. Apple’s AI features are currently in beta and are available on select iPhone and iPad models.

- Apple is urged to withdraw its AI news alert feature due to inaccuracies.

- The BBC and other organizations have reported multiple instances of false claims generated by the AI.

- Critics, including journalists and unions, emphasize the risk of misinformation.

- Apple plans to clarify that summaries are AI-generated but faces skepticism about its effectiveness.

- The AI features are still in beta and available on specific devices.