Apple is urged to remove AI after false headlines created by the AI feature
The BBC complained to Apple after Apple Intelligence falsely claimed that BBC News published an article falsely claiming Mangione was responsible for the murder of healthcare insurance chief Brian Thompson, in New York. Reporters Without Borders is now calling on Apple to remove this technology. Apple has made no comment.
BBC News
A zoomed-in iPhone screenshot of the misleading BBC notification
Apple Intelligence was launched in the UK last week.
Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF, said it was was “very concerned by the risks posed to media outlets” by AI tools.
The group said the BBC incident proves “generative AI services are still too immature to produce reliable information for the public”.
Vincent Berthier, the head of RSF’s technology and journalism desk, added: “AIs are probability machines, and facts can’t be decided by a roll of the dice. “RSF calls for Apple to remove this feature. Automated production of false news attributed to media outlets is a threat to their credibility, and to the right of the public to receive reliable information about current affairs. The BBC spokesperson said that when the BBC News grouped notification was revealed, the corporation had “contacted Apple to raise this concern and solve the problem”.
The notification which made a false claim about Mangione was otherwise accurate in its summaries about the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and an update on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The BBC has not yet confirmed if Apple has responded to its complaint.
Mangione has now been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Mr Thompson.
Ken Schwencke
A screenshot of a group notification from the New York Times was also said to be misleading.
The BBC does not appear to be the only news publisher which has had headlines misrepresented by Apple’s new AI tech. On 21 November, the New York Times grouped three articles together into one notification, with one section stating “Netanyahu Arrested”, referring the Israeli Prime Minister. Mr Schwencke confirmed to BBC News that the screenshot was taken by him and it was accurate. The New York Times has declined to comment.
What is the Apple Intelligence notification summary?
As part of its roll out of Apple Intelligence, Apple allows users to group notifications.
Apple said customers might like this to help reduce the interruptions caused by ongoing notifications.
It is only available on certain iPhones – those using the iOS 18.1 system version or later on recent devices (all iPhone 16 phones, the 15 Pro, and the 15 Pro Max). Some iPads and Macs also support it. Apple has not outlined how many reports it has received.
Apple Intelligence does not just summarise the articles of publishers, and it has been reported that the summaries of emails and text messages have occasionally not quite hit the mark.
