Apple iPhone users warned of 'dangerous' AI feature that's automatically switched on

iPhone users are being warned about a "dangerous" feature that is automatically enabled on certain Apple devices following a software update. The introduction of iOS 18.3 means artificial intelligence (AI) features on iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro/Max models are now default settings, whereas previously, users had to activate these manually.

Not only does Apple Intelligence extract information from apps and take action within them, it also demands significant storage space. Tech experts have warned that the AI system will consume 7GB, regardless of the device it's operating on.

Some have labelled the AI system as "dangerous," particularly in relation to its Notification Summaries feature. This function uses AI to consolidate multiple notifications from the same app into a single, concise summary "to make them more succinct and easier to read," according to Apple.

However, Notification Summaries has been known to misinterpret notifications, producing misleading or entirely incorrect news headlines. Petros Iosifidis, a professor in media policy at City University in London, told BBC News that while there are potential benefits to this type of feature, " but the technology is not there yet and there is a real danger of spreading disinformation."

If you've downloaded iOS 18.3 but don't want the AI system activated, you'll need to manually adjust the default setting, reports the Mirror. To do this, open the Settings app, scroll down and select Apple Intelligence and Siri.

To disable Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, simply toggle off the feature and confirm by selecting "Turn Off Apple Intelligence" when the prompt appears. Launched in December, Apple Intelligence is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence system embedded in the latest iPhone models.

Billed as a game-changer by Apple, this AI system brings a host of new features designed to make daily routines more efficient. However, due to issues identified post-launch, Apple has suspended the functionality for news and entertainment notifications while it works on resolving these glitches. Other notifications, such as messages, can still be summarised by Notification Summaries—although there have been instances where even these have not been error-free.

Chip Hallett, a guru in data privacy and the author of The Ultimate Privacy Playbook, has issued warnings about the risks associated with Apple Intelligence, highlighting its potential to access sensitive data within users' apps.

“Apple Intelligence is going to be learning how you use your banking apps, your financial apps, and your location maps," he cautioned. In response to these concerns, The Mirror has reached out to Apple for a statement.