Apple Intelligence introduced a “Notification Summarization” feature for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, designed to organize notifications using AI. This feature aims to summarize various notifications to improve user experience. However, the AI’s accuracy has been inconsistent, with some users finding it useful, while others report errors that are more comedic than functional.
Practical Examples and Mixed Results
Some Apple users appreciate how the AI system handles notifications from Apple Home. Instead of receiving multiple repetitive alerts, users might see a single message like “Garage status changed several times; recently closed.” This simplified summary saves time and reduces the need for users to check their cameras or app notifications, though there’s a slight chance the AI may misinterpret data.
However, issues arise when Apple Intelligence attempts to summarize more complex content, such as emails, text messages, or Slack notifications. According to researchers, Apple’s AI struggles with summarizing human interactions and often misses the context of messages. As a result, its notifications can be misrepresentative, causing confusion rather than clarity.
User Experiences and Surprising Results
The Verge columnist Wes Davis shared an experience where Apple’s AI summarized an invitation from the Writers Guild of America on his iPhone with a bizarre message, saying, “take a look at his old ass.” Another AI-generated alert incorrectly suggested a late-night intrusion when a puppy approached the front door. The AI notified the homeowner that the house was surrounded by “crowds of people” at multiple entrances, creating an unnecessary scare.
Similarly, Alex Heath, another writer at The Verge, received a message warning of an attempted break-in by “ten or more people” at his front door. Although Heath reassured readers that no one had actually tried to break in, the AI’s interpretation led to several anxious moments.
There are also cases where the AI’s summaries mix unrelated information. For instance, one notification combined information from Microsoft, Experian, and TurboTax in a nonsensical manner, leaving the recipient confused. In another instance, Apple Intelligence expressed dissatisfaction with a specific movie and a button, though it did not clarify what movie or button it was referencing.
Concerns and Calls for Improvement
For many users, these notifications are more intrusive than helpful, adds NIX Solutions. As Davis noted, “AI notifications are a horrible, constant intrusion,” calling for a way to turn off AI-generated summaries completely. While this feature holds potential for improving notifications, these issues highlight the need for refinement in Apple’s AI summarization capabilities.
We’ll keep you updated on any improvements Apple introduces to address these challenges and enhance user experience.