TLDR
- Apple’s AI news summary feature is generating inaccurate alerts
- BBC complained about misrepresentation in December
- Apple only responded in Monday saying they’ll clarify AI-generated content
- Former Guardian editor calls for product withdrawal
- NUJ and RSF demand removal to prevent misinformation
Technology giant Apple is encountering growing criticism over its artificial intelligence news summary feature, with multiple organizations calling for its immediate withdrawal due to accuracy issues.
The AI tool, part of Apple Intelligence suite available on recent iPhone models, was designed to provide condensed versions of breaking news alerts. However, reports indicate the system has been creating false information rather than accurately summarizing existing news content.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) initially raised concerns with Apple in December 2023, highlighting instances where their journalism was incorrectly represented by the AI system. Apple did not address these concerns until Monday, when they stated they would work to make it clearer that these summaries are generated by artificial intelligence.
Alan Rusbridger, who previously served as editor of The Guardian newspaper and currently sits on Meta’s Oversight Board, has become a vocal critic of the feature. Speaking to BBC Radio Four’s Today programme, he described the technology as “out of control” and emphasized it was “clearly not ready” for public use.
Rusbridger expressed particular concern about the potential impact on public trust in news media. “Trust in news is low enough already without giant American corporations coming in and using it as a kind of test product,” he stated during the interview.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which represents thousands of media professionals worldwide, has joined the chorus of voices calling for action. They have demanded Apple take immediate steps to remove Apple Intelligence from their devices to prevent the spread of misinformation.
This position is shared by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organization dedicated to protecting press freedom, who had previously called for the feature’s removal.
Apple’s delayed response to the BBC’s initial complaints has drawn additional criticism. The three-month gap between the BBC’s December complaint and Apple’s Monday response has raised questions about the company’s handling of accuracy concerns.
The AI feature is currently integrated into Apple’s latest iPhone models as part of the Apple Intelligence suite, making it accessible to millions of users worldwide.
Reports indicate that rather than simply condensing existing news content, the AI system has in some cases generated entirely fabricated claims, though specific examples have not been publicly detailed.
Apple’s current position focuses on improving transparency about the AI-generated nature of these summaries, rather than removing the feature entirely as requested by various journalism organizations.
The situation represents one of the first major challenges to AI-powered news summary tools from established news organizations and journalism advocacy groups.
Industry observers note that this case could set precedents for how similar AI news summary features are implemented by other technology companies in the future.
As of the latest reports, Apple has not indicated any plans to withdraw the feature, maintaining their position of working to clarify the AI-generated nature of the content.
