In a recent update to its iOS platform, Apple has addressed a significant flaw in its AI-powered Notification Summaries feature. This feature, designed to provide users with concise versions of alerts, had previously attracted criticism for inaccurately summarizing a BBC article about the alleged murderer of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione. In response to pressure from the BBC and other media outlets, Apple has implemented several changes in iOS 18.3 beta to improve user experience and prevent future miscommunications.
Apple Intelligence powers the Notification Summaries feature, which aims to keep users informed without overwhelming them with constant notifications. However, the system previously erred in judgment, leading to the misattribution of details in the aforementioned BBC article. This incident highlighted the need for Apple to refine the feature, ensuring it accurately summarizes notifications moving forward.
The latest iOS 18.3 beta update provides users with more control over how AI-generated content is displayed on their devices. Apple now allows users to disable the Notification Summaries feature on an app-by-app basis. News and entertainment apps, which are most susceptible to errors in AI-generated content, will show as "Temporarily Unavailable" in the settings menu for Notification Summaries. This strategic move aims to prevent confusion and misrepresentation until further improvements are made.
Under Settings > Notifications > Summarize Notifications, Apple has included a notice stating, "Summaries may contain errors." This disclaimer signifies Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy of its AI summaries. The tech giant acknowledges that while the feature offers convenience, it still has room for improvement and is committed to refining its performance in future updates.
