The BBC has reported that Apple is planning to make significant changes to how iPhones and other devices display notifications summarized by its AI technology, Apple Intelligence. This move comes after the news organization expressed concerns about the accuracy of these summaries, which have been known to misrepresent or contradict original content.
The Problem with Apple’s AI Summaries
In December 2022, Apple launched its still-in-beta feature in the UK, allowing users to receive summarized notifications from various apps. However, the BBC quickly pointed out that the summaries had caused issues by incorrectly rewriting headlines and other information. One notable example was when an Apple Intelligence summary claimed that Luigi Mangione shot himself, even though the original BBC headline made no such suggestion.
Other Notable Failures
The BBC reported that Apple’s AI technology had also led to some shocking failures, including:
- Falsely announcing a PDC World Darts Championship winner: Before the event even started, an Apple Intelligence summary incorrectly claimed that a particular player had won the championship.
- Misrepresenting Rafael Nadal’s sexuality: A notification summarized a news article as stating that Rafael Nadal had revealed himself to be gay, when in fact no such claim was made.
Apple’s Response
The BBC wrote that Apple stated it would release a software update in the coming weeks to clarify when the text being displayed is a summary provided by Apple Intelligence. This change aims to address the concerns raised about the accuracy and transparency of these summaries.
How to Disable or Customize Apple AI Summaries
Apple has informed users that receiving summarized notifications is optional. To disable this feature, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings: Open your iPhone’s settings app.
- Notifications: Scroll down and select "Notifications."
- Summarize Notifications: Find the option for summarizing notifications and toggle it off.
By disabling or customizing Apple AI summaries, users can maintain control over what information they receive on their devices.
The Limitations of Apple AI Technology
While Apple’s AI technology has had its funny moments, such as summarizing a text message saying "that hike almost killed me" as "attempted suicide," it is clear that there are still significant limitations to this feature. The BBC’s reports and other user experiences have shown that these summaries can be inaccurate or misleading.
Conclusion
Apple’s plan to revamp its notification system in response to criticism from the BBC marks an important step towards improving the accuracy and transparency of its AI technology. By acknowledging the limitations of its summaries and making changes to address these issues, Apple demonstrates its commitment to user experience and satisfaction.