What is causing the iPhone dictation feature to display 'Trump' when users say 'racist'?

Apple attributes the issue to phonetic overlap in its speech recognition model, where words with similar sounds may be initially misinterpreted before being corrected.

How is Apple addressing this issue?

Apple is working on a fix for the glitch and has stated that they are rolling out a solution to correct the speech recognition model.

Are there any other words affected by this glitch?

Yes, other words with an 'r' consonant, such as 'rampage' and 'rampant', have also been reported to trigger the glitch.

What has been the reaction to this glitch?

The glitch has sparked controversy, with some accusing tech companies of political bias. A former Apple employee suggested it might be a prank, though Apple maintains it is a technical issue.

4 sources·Technology

Apple Addresses Glitch in Dictation Feature Suggesting 'Trump' When 'Racist' Is Spoken

Apple is fixing a dictation bug causing the word 'Trump' to appear when users say 'racist'. The company acknowledges phonetic overlap issues in its speech model.

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Apple is fixing a bug within the dictation feature on some iPhones that briefly suggests the word “Trump” when a word with an R consonant is spoken, including "racist."
Apple to fix dictation glitch that suggests replacing the word 'racist' with 'Trump'
ABC News·21d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
This week the company announced a plan to invest more than $500 billion and hire 20,000 people in the United States over the next four years as well as build a new factory in Texas, amid Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on imports.
Apple to fix iPhone dictation glitch that suggests replacing the word 'racist' with 'Trump'
Associated Press·21d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
It is not the first time that Apple’s AI-powered features have experienced issues.
Apple Says It’s Fixing iPhone Dictation Bug That Interprets ‘Racist’ as ‘Trump’
Epoch Times·21d
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
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Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.
The situation with Apple is unlikely to be a genuine mistake with its data because its English language model would be trained on hundreds of thousands of hours of speech, which should give it a high level of accuracy.
Apple AI tool transcribed the word 'racist' as 'Trump'
BBC News·21d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Feb 26th, 2025, 12:39 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Apple is addressing a glitch in its dictation feature on iPhones that erroneously suggests the word 'Trump' when users speak 'racist'. This issue prompted user outrage as videos circulated on social media demonstrating the problem. Apple confirmed the bug, attributing it to phonetic overlap in its speech recognition model, and stated they are working on a fix. An expert critiqued this explanation, suggesting it could reflect a prank. Alongside the issue, Apple announced plans to invest over $500 billion in the US, partly amid changing economic policies influenced by Trump.

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Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

Apple is addressing a bug in its dictation feature that causes the word 'Trump' to appear when users say 'racist' due to phonetic overlap.
The company has acknowledged the issue and is rolling out a fix amidst the controversy over its speech recognition software.
Apple's recent investment of over $500 billion in the U.S. highlights its ongoing commitment to technology and AI despite scrutiny over its policies.

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