Janice R. Andrews
Apple has temporarily disabled its AI-driven notification summaries for news and entertainment apps in the latest developer previews of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3. The move follows reports of poorly generated alerts that sparked user complaints and negative media coverage.
To address the issues, Apple has introduced a disclaimer for users enabling notification summaries, clarifying that the feature is still in beta and may produce unexpected outcomes. A new lock screen option now allows users to manage summarized notifications, while AI-generated alerts are marked with italicized text for clearer identification.
In a statement to Engadget, Apple acknowledged the feature’s shortcomings and pledged improvements. “Apple Intelligence features are in beta, and we are continuously making enhancements with user feedback,” the company said. Apple also urged users to report concerns about inaccurate summaries.
Initially launched with iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, the AI notification summaries aimed to provide quick, concise updates. However, the feature has faced significant backlash for inaccuracies, including a high-profile incident reported by the BBC. One summary falsely claimed that Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had taken his own life.
Apple’s decision to pause the feature underscores the complexities of implementing AI technologies while maintaining user trust. The company plans to release a software update in the coming weeks to refine the system and clarify when text is generated by AI. This effort aims to restore confidence in Apple’s notification system as it works to enhance its AI-powered tools.
