Apple scraps Jon Stewart show over China, AI clashes: report

US COMEDIAN Jon Stewart’s talk show on Apple TV+ has reportedly been canceled after just two series due to clashes between its host and the company over topics such as China and artificial intelligence (AI).

Stewart told staff that executives from Apple – which has vast commercial interests in China and AI – had expressed concern over proposed new content for The Problem with Jon Stewart, The New York Times said.

Apple did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

Stewart became a household name in the United States as the host of Comedy Central’s long-running The Daily Show, before stepping down to pursue other interests in 2015.

Streaming platform Apple TV+ launched The Problem with Jon Stewart as a flagship current affairs show in 2021. The show takes a satirical look at a different topical issue each week.

Episodes in the most recent season included Globalization: Made In America and Searching for Allies.

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Since Apple first established a presence in China in 1993, the US tech giant has grown into a major provider of smartphones, laptops and consumer electronics in the country.

Apple chief Tim Cook made a surprise visit to China this month, and he has previously spoken of his company’s “symbiotic” relationship with the nation.

In an earnings call in August, Cook said Apple views AI and machine learning as “core fundamental technologies that are integral to virtually every product that we build.” AFP