Apple has suspended a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that had been generating incorrect news summaries, drawing widespread criticism for its repeated errors. The feature, which sent notifications that appeared to originate from news organizations’ apps, had sparked complaints from major media outlets, including the BBC.
The tech giant confirmed the suspension in a statement, with an Apple spokesperson saying, “We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update.” The company’s decision follows mounting pressure to withdraw the service, which many saw as contributing to the spread of misinformation.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global journalism advocacy organization, voiced its concerns, stating that the feature underscored the dangers of rushing out new technology. “Innovation must never come at the expense of the right of citizens to receive reliable information,” said RSF’s Vincent Berthier, urging Apple to ensure that the feature would not return until it could guarantee the accuracy of the generated headlines.
One of the most notable incidents involved the BBC, which reported that the AI feature falsely summarized a story about the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The summary inaccurately stated that the suspect had shot himself, raising serious concerns about the potential harm of such false reports. The feature also misrepresented headlines from Sky News, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.
Jonathan Bright, head of AI for public services at the Alan Turing Institute, explained that “hallucinations,” where AI models generate inaccurate or fabricated information, are a real concern. Bright noted that while human oversight can mitigate this issue, there is no guaranteed way to prevent AI systems from making such errors, especially as tech companies race to be the first to release new features.
The BBC had raised concerns with Apple in December, but the company did not respond until January, when it promised a software update to clarify the role of AI in the summary generation. This update, however, was criticized for not going far enough. In response, Apple decided to disable the feature entirely for news and entertainment apps, with the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3. For other apps, AI-generated summaries will now appear in italicized text.
“We’re pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarization feature for news,” said a BBC spokesperson. “Our priority is the accuracy of the news we deliver to audiences, which is essential to building and maintaining trust.”
Apple’s quick reversal highlights the challenges tech companies face as they integrate AI into content creation and the importance of maintaining trust in news reporting. The company’s response is seen as a rare acknowledgment of the risks posed by AI in shaping public perceptions of the news.
