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January 17, 2025

Andrew Campbell 

On January 16, Apple released a beta software update disabling its newly introduced AI-powered news summarization feature, following backlash over repeated errors in generated headlines, such as a fabricated claim about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest. Apple stated it would refine the technology and explicitly label AI-generated content to alert users to potential inaccuracies.

The issue drew concern from organizations like Reporters Without Borders, which called on Apple to suspend the feature. The organization argued that the incident highlights AI’s limitations in delivering accurate and quality information, even when drawing from credible sources.

Apple plans to reintroduce the feature after addressing these shortcomings. The temporary suspension aims to prevent further errors while the company works to improve the reliability of its AI tools, ensuring users receive accurate information in future updates.