Legal Problems Facing Major Tech Companies Over Artificial Intelligence
Introduction
Google and Apple are currently facing legal challenges regarding how they use artificial intelligence and the accuracy of the information their AI provides.
Main Body
In the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, musician Ashley MacIsaac is suing Google for $1.5 million. He claims that Google's 'AI Overview' feature shared false and damaging information by wrongly linking him to serious crimes, such as sexual assault. Consequently, a professional event with the Sipekne’katik First Nation was cancelled, although the group later apologized. MacIsaac argues that Google is responsible because its system is poorly designed and ignores the truth. In response, Google emphasized that AI Overviews are constantly being improved and that the company uses these mistakes to make the system better. Meanwhile, Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle lawsuits from shareholders and consumers. These legal disputes started because Apple's advertisements for the iPhone 15 and 16 allegedly lied about the availability of new Siri AI features. The plaintiffs asserted that the lack of these features at launch was a misleading business practice that hurt the company's value. Although Apple has agreed to the payment, the company has not admitted any wrongdoing. Furthermore, Apple maintains that it has already released other AI tools under the 'Apple Intelligence' brand. The settlement still needs court approval, and eligible users may receive between $25 and $95 per device.
Conclusion
Both companies are under heavy legal pressure regarding the reliability of AI results and the honesty of their marketing strategies.
Learning
The 'B2 Pivot': Moving from Simple Words to 'Power Verbs'
At the A2 level, you likely use verbs like say, think, or give. To reach B2, you must start using Specific Action Verbs that describe how someone is communicating, especially in formal or legal contexts.
Look at how this text transforms basic ideas into professional English:
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Instead of "said" Asserted / Claimed
- A2 style: MacIsaac said Google was wrong.
- B2 style: MacIsaac claims that Google's system ignores the truth.
- B2 style: The plaintiffs asserted that the practice was misleading.
- The Difference: "Claim" and "Assert" suggest that the person is making a strong statement that might be challenged in court. It's not just speaking; it's presenting a case.
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Instead of "said they are sorry" Admitted wrongdoing
- A2 style: Apple didn't say they did something bad.
- B2 style: Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing.
- The Difference: This is a 'collocation' (words that naturally go together). In B2 English, we don't just 'do bad things'; we 'commit wrongdoing'.
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Instead of "talked about" Emphasized
- A2 style: Google talked about how they are improving.
- B2 style: Google emphasized that AI Overviews are constantly being improved.
- The Difference: "Emphasize" shows that the speaker is putting special importance on a specific point to defend themselves.
💡 Pro Tip for the Bridge: Next time you want to write "He said...", ask yourself: Is he arguing? (Claimed), Is he insisting? (Asserted), or Is he highlighting a point? (Emphasized). This one change instantly elevates your writing from a basic level to an upper-intermediate level.