With the recent release of iOS 18.3, Apple has introduced a new default setting that may raise a few eyebrows among iPhone users.

The update automatically activates Apple Intelligence, a powerful AI feature that was previously only available if users manually enabled it.

For those with iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro/Max models, this means the AI system is now active by default.

Apple Intelligence: Convenient, But Storage-Heavy

Apple Intelligence is designed to make everyday tasks easier by pulling data from your apps and tracking your actions.

However, it requires significant storage—experts warn that it will take up around 7GB of space, no matter what device it’s running on.

This storage demand could potentially slow down your phone or lead to other issues, especially if you’re low on available storage.

How to Turn Off Apple Intelligence

If you’re not comfortable with this new feature, there’s a way to disable it.

After updating to iOS 18.3, you’ll need to manually go into your settings and switch off Apple Intelligence.

To do so, open the Settings app, scroll down, and select Apple Intelligence & Siri.

From there, you can toggle off the AI system and confirm that you want to turn it off.

The Controversy Around Notification Summaries

Apple Intelligence was launched in December with the promise of making notifications more organized and easier to read.

One of its main features, Notification Summaries, condenses multiple notifications into a single brief summary.

While the intention is to simplify information, tech experts have raised concerns over the accuracy of this feature.

For instance, the AI has occasionally misinterpreted notifications, leading to incorrect or misleading headlines.

In December, Apple’s AI mistakenly made it seem like the BBC had published a false article about a murder suspect’s death.

Similarly, it falsely claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had been arrested.

These mistakes highlight the potential dangers of spreading misinformation, especially when the technology isn’t fully refined.

Privacy Concerns and Data Access

In addition to the risk of misinformation, Apple Intelligence raises significant privacy concerns.

The AI system can access sensitive personal data from apps such as your banking, financial apps, location maps, messages, photos, and even your health and fitness information.

This access is possible because generative AI models analyze patterns from large datasets within apps.

While Apple has assured users that the data is encrypted and not stored long-term, some privacy experts, like Chip Hallett, warn that the AI could still learn and expose sensitive information.

Data collection for personalization could leave users vulnerable to privacy breaches if malicious third parties gain access.

Security Vulnerabilities in AI Systems

Even though Apple claims its AI system uses advanced encryption and operates within a secure cloud environment, the underlying nature of AI means it could still be exposed to cyberattacks.

Continuous data collection and the use of virtual assistants like Siri, which regularly captures screenshots, increase the risk of unauthorized access to personal data.

This ongoing vulnerability is something users should be aware of, especially with the rise of cyber threats targeting sensitive data.

In conclusion, while Apple Intelligence offers some cool features aimed at improving your iPhone experience, it comes with significant risks related to storage, privacy, and the potential for misinformation.

If you’re not ready for all that AI brings, it’s a good idea to turn off the feature and keep a close eye on future updates.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn