Apple’s AI-generated notification summaries are available; they’re occasionally helpful but often amusing.

Apple’s latest AI feature on iPhones, iPads, and Macs can now summarize notifications for users. Starting with iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, this small language model (LLM) organizes multiple notifications from the same app into a brief overview. For example, in a busy group text, it attempts to summarize the conversation’s main topic. This can be useful — and sometimes unintentionally funny.

For instance, when summarizing Apple Home notifications, it might say, “Garage changed status multiple times; recently closed,” instead of listing each door status update. It’s usually accurate, sparing users from checking the Apple Home app or garage camera. Still, LLMs sometimes misinterpret details, so occasional verification is needed.

Where it struggles most is with text messages, emails, and Slack notifications. These summaries often miss key context, similar to saying Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is about “a father and son who take a walk.” Technically correct, but lacking depth.

The AI’s attempts to interpret human communication lead to amusing summaries, which some Verge colleagues have shared. One example appeared as “Apology for subpar communication; life busy; not ready for a relationship.” While brief, it captures the message bluntly.

For those who dislike notifications and tend to ignore noisy apps, these summaries can be especially surprising. Imagine waking up at 1 a.m., only to read that “multiple people” are at your front and back doors and in your driveway, raising a John Wick-style scenario.

Some users, like Apple Shortcuts expert Matthew Cassinelli, find these summaries a little frustrating when unrelated notifications are combined. Context is also key; a message from the Writers Guild of America might be summarized in an odd way, confusing users unfamiliar with the guild’s updates.

In some cases, Apple’s summaries manage accuracy, like summarizing an email from The Onion effectively. Yet, summaries of complex topics — like Microsoft’s gender-detecting AI report — can become confusing, failing to provide the whole story.

Ultimately, are Apple Intelligence notification summaries revolutionary? Not quite. But for those who already find notifications intrusive, these summaries can at least offer some humor. And as one Threads post put it, the feature may not be life-changing, but it’s at least a quirky addition to the endless stream of notifications.