Apple halts AI news summaries for continuing to spread misinformation

Key changes and updates: Apple has temporarily suspended AI-generated notification summaries for news and entertainment applications in the latest iOS 18.3 developer beta while addressing accuracy concerns.

• The suspension specifically targets news and entertainment app categories, with plans to restore functionality in a future update once underlying issues are resolved
• New warning labels now appear in Settings, explicitly stating that “Summaries may contain errors” for apps where the feature remains active
• AI-generated content will be displayed in italics to clearly differentiate it from text originated by news outlets or app developers

Enhanced user controls: A new set of features provides users with greater control over their notification experience and AI-generated content.

• Users can now manage notification summaries directly from the lock screen by swiping left on individual summaries
• The swipe gesture allows users to enable or disable AI summarization on a per-app basis
• These controls offer more granular management of which apps can utilize AI-generated summaries

Background context: Recent accuracy issues with the AI summary feature have prompted Apple to implement these changes.

• The BBC recently reported errors in AI-generated summaries, including a significant mistake regarding an alleged shooter
• Apple has acknowledged these concerns and committed to improving the system based on user feedback
• The company is actively working to provide clearer indication of AI-generated content

Looking ahead: While Apple’s temporary suspension of certain AI summary features represents a setback, the introduction of new controls and transparency measures suggests a measured approach to balancing innovation with accuracy in AI-powered features.