Imran Rahman-Jones Technology reporter Getty Images Luke Littler does not play in the PDC World Championship final until Friday evening A news summary from Apple falsely claimed darts player Luke Littler had won the PDC World Championship – before he even played in the final. The incorrect summary was written by artificial intelligence (AI) and is based on a BBC story about Littler winning the tournament semi-final on Thursday night. Within hours on Friday, another AI notification summary falsely told some BBC Sport app users that Tennis great Rafael Nadal had come out as gay. Apple, which has been contacted for a response, previously declined to comment on similar examples of false AI alerts about news stories. Apple’s AI software Apple Intelligence launched in the UK in December 2024 with a feature that aims to give users a simple round-up of app alerts they have missed. It collates the alerts into a single message and then uses AI to summarise what they contained. The false alert about Littler was seen by users of the BBC News app earlier in the day. A BBC spokesperson said: “It is essential that Apple fixes this problem urgently – as this has happened multiple times. “As the most trusted news media organisation in the world, it is crucial that audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.” The BBC previously complained to Apple about the Apple Intelligence feature when it generated a false headline about a high-profile alleged murder in the US. Even though this type of summary notification appears to be directly from the BBC, it is in fact Apple Intelligence’s take on much longer headlines. Other stories in the summaries seen on Friday – including those on South Korea and rising cases of influenza – were reported accurately by Apple Intelligence. The latest examples come after journalist body Reporters Without Borders (also known as RSF) called on Apple to axe its AI-powered summaries of news stories last month. “The automated production of false information attributed to a media outlet is a blow to the outlet’s credibility,” Vincent Berthier, the head of RSF’s technology and journalism desk, said in December. He added it was “a danger to the public’s right to reliable information on current affairs.” It is likely that most people’s AI-generated summaries are unique as different combinations of notifications are summarised depending on the device being used and the alerts coming through. BBC Sport app users can follow different sports and receive personalised alerts. Apple Intelligence 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). It is also available on some iPads and Macs. The grouped notifications are marked with a specific icon, and users can report any concerns they have on a notification summary. Apple has not outlined how many reports it has received. Source link

Meta has announced the appointment of three new board members including the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and close Donald Trump ally, Dana White. It comes as Meta’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, appears to be making efforts to mend ties with Trump, ahead of the US president-elect’s inauguration this month. Days ago former UK deputy prime minister and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Nick Clegg left his job as president of global affairs at the social media giant. The other new members of Meta’s board include John Elkann, who leads European investment firm Exor, and Charlie Songhurst, a former Microsoft executive. “Dana, John and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with [artificial intelligence], wearables and the future of human connection,” said Mr Zuckerberg in a statement. The social media giant also praised Mr White’s role in turning UFC into a global business. In a post on Meta’s Instagram, Mr White said he loves social media and is “excited to be a small part of the future of [artificial intelligence] and emerging technologies.” Mr White has previously rejected any suggestion that UFC platforms hate speech, insisting he supports free speech. A year ago his tense exchange with a reporter who questioned why he allowed fighters to make anti-LGBT remarks went viral. “People can say whatever they want and they can believe whatever they want,” Mr White retorted. The UFC boss has had a close relationship with Trump for decades. Mr White’s appointment follows news that Sir Nick was being replaced at Meta by his deputy, prominent Republican Joel Kaplan, who has handled relations between the social media firm and the Republican Party. There has been an apparent thawing between Meta and Trump in recent months. Relations had been frosty at least since Trump was barred from Facebook and Instagram following the US Capitol riot in January 2021. In August, Trump wrote in a book that Mr Zuckerberg would “spend the rest of his life in prison” if he attempted to interfere in the 2024 US election. But the president-elect later softened his position, telling a podcast in October it was “nice” that Mr Zuckerberg was “staying out of the election”, and thanking him for a personal phone call after he faced an assassination attempt. Mr Zuckerberg visited Mar-a-Lago and had dinner with Trump after his electoral victory in November. Earlier this month, he donated $1m (£800,000) to the president-elect’s inauguration fund. Source link