Apple’s new AI-powered news summarizing feature has sparked controversy after several instances of incorrect information being spread to users. The feature, which was designed to deliver quick news summaries via push notifications, is facing major backlash for misreporting key facts, leading to concerns about media trust.
The latest error occurred when Apple’s AI summary incorrectly stated that Luigi Manjone, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, had committed suicide.
The BBC, which originally reported the story, clarified that this detail was never mentioned. In response, the BBC reached out to Apple for clarification, but it remains unclear whether Apple has taken action.
The issue has drawn criticism from experts like Vincent Berthier, Director of Technology and Journalism Affairs at Reporters Without Borders. Berthier called on Apple to immediately withdraw the feature, highlighting the risks of using AI for news summarization without proper oversight.
He emphasized that AI is not yet capable of reliably determining facts, and misinformation could harm both the media’s credibility and the public’s trust in news.
This is not the first time Apple’s AI has misreported news. Earlier, it misrepresented a New York Times article, incorrectly stating that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had been arrested when an arrest warrant was actually issued.
Apple’s AI tool, launched in June, was meant to help users access news more conveniently, summarizing articles into brief, digestible formats. However, the lack of control over the content’s accuracy has raised concerns. News organizations have no say over the summaries, which are published under their names.
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle for media organizations to adapt to AI advancements, with many questioning the readiness of such technology to handle public information responsibly. Apple has yet to respond to the growing criticism.
