With nearly two million applications available on the iOS App Store, sifting through them can be an overwhelming task. A significant number of these apps might not be worth downloading. Consequently, many users rely on reviews when contemplating a new download. They seek insights into fellow users’ experiences—whether the feedback is positive, neutral, or negative. The current review system serves many adequately: by glancing through reviews, a user can form an impression about an app’s suitability. For those who prefer a deeper dive, options like filtering for the most critical or recent reviews are available, revealing what users think about the app’s latest iteration.

Artificial Intelligence in Focus

As we navigate through 2025, there’s a noticeable shift towards leveraging artificial intelligence in various spheres, and it’s shaping the way we interact with technology. Why take the time to analyze user reviews when AI could summarize them in a fraction of the time?

Apple’s AI Review Summaries

With the introduction of iOS 18.4, currently undergoing beta testing, Apple is experimenting with AI-generated review summaries for apps and games. These summaries distill “highlights and key information” from user feedback, offering a snapshot that refreshes at least weekly, provided there are sufficient reviews. Users will find these AI-generated insights located directly beneath the app rating, labeled as “Reviews Summary.”

Presently, this feature is available solely in the English language for a select number of apps and games in the United States, although Apple intends to extend the availability to more languages and regions over time.

The Double-Edged Sword of AI Summaries

Features of this nature can be overlooked easily. Those who appreciate the AI summaries might glance at them before diving deeper into user reviews. However, for those who prefer traditional reviews, there’s no harm in scrolling past the summaries.

This latter option is likely favored by many. Trusting AI to capture the essence of human experiences can often feel risky, even when stakes are low. Additionally, reading an AI summary may not save as much time as anticipated, as users could miss nuances or insights that are considered significant by real reviewers but overlooked by AI algorithms.

It’s worth noting that Apple isn’t the sole innovator in this space—companies like Google, Amazon, and NewEgg have also experimented with AI-driven review summaries. However, some concerns arise over this methodology. If reliance on AI becomes commonplace for summarizing content, one has to wonder for whom the original reviewers are writing. With a vast number of people contributing their insights, reading just an AI summary may skew the intent behind those reviews, diverting the focus from human-to-human connection to a machine-generated output.

Looking Ahead

The rollout of iOS 18.4 is anticipated for April, and those interested in AI summaries can explore them now by opting for the beta version. For users hesitant about potential software bugs, waiting for the stable release next month might be the wisest choice.