Microsoft: 'ever present' AI assistants are coming
Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman announced advanced personal AI assistants with long-term memory will launch within a year, addressing privacy concerns while introducing new features for CoPilot and relaunching Recall with enhanced security.
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Microsoft's head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, announced that personal AI assistants with advanced long-term memory capabilities are expected to be available within a year. These AI tools aim to enhance user interaction by recalling past conversations and personal data, thereby encouraging users to share more of their history. While proponents argue that deeper integration of AI into daily life is essential for its utility, critics raise concerns about privacy, data security, and the potential for biased or incorrect advice. Suleyman noted a shift in public expectations regarding privacy, citing the prevalence of devices that continuously record data. Despite skepticism about the widespread adoption of AI tools, he emphasized that AI is the fastest-growing technology in history. Microsoft has recently introduced new features for its AI assistant, CoPilot, including a voice function and a tool called CoPilot Vision, which assists users while browsing. However, the company faced backlash over a previous AI tool, Recall, which took screenshots for user assistance, leading to its temporary suspension. The tool is set to relaunch with enhanced security measures.
- Microsoft plans to release advanced personal AI assistants within a year.
- Concerns about privacy and data security are prevalent among critics.
- AI is considered the fastest-growing technology in history, despite mixed user adoption rates.
- New features for Microsoft's CoPilot include voice functions and browsing assistance.
- The Recall tool will relaunch with improved security after privacy concerns.
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24 commentsThe problem is these AI assistants won't work for me, they'll work for Microsoft. They won't help me as much as they will point me in the direction that is the most profitable for Microsoft.
When the agenda is not mine then these things are of no use to me.
The most popular modification made to laptops is a small round sticker to seal off the webcam. The enshittification of the car market is something that only car manufacturers seem to like. The most common question with a smart TV is "how do I get that thing to just accept an HDMI input and not get in the way". Making a slight jump from car cams - things like doorbell cameras are facing increased scrutiny because of their inadvertent recording of the nearby street, which might violate privacy laws.
Adding audio and the few seconds before and after to a photo isn't the same thing as a continuous recording; the choice to make the photo is both still with the user and what's happening doesn't feel like a black box. AI assistants are the black box.
It was cute when Siri could tell you the nearest sushi bar or can check the schedule from your calendar (although I'll note that every use for Siri tends to be a party trick and half the fun people get from Siri and other assistants is when they don't work as expected; I don't know a single person who uses Siri to for example, read the news or give them a briefing on what's important for the day a-la Star Trek or other utopian scifi), it's creepy when Siri starts to suggest that you might want to visit a sushi bar because it's tracked your food habits for the past week and thinks you could enjoy some more fish food instead. AI assistants overwhelmingly are heading to the latter and now that the party trick element is cooling off, people get more cynical towards how they work (and how they don't work as advertised.)
A tool controlled by corporates like Microsoft that deeply embedded into my life? If that is what it takes to be truly useful then I don't want it to be useful and will be opting out in every way possible. With force if needed…
Edit a diary? Retain the information? A diary IS a log of information as understood at the time. It's also not the clouds business, nor to be edited.
My gosh these people sound stupid.
I'm not getting on this train.
> AI supporters argue that in order to be truly useful, these tools have to be deeply embedded into our lives: that they can only be really helpful if they know the history and context behind what they are being tasked to do.
That cost is far too high.
Now I’ve noticed all of these support services, once you get past the idiot computer, there is now an idiot human who rephrases your question or concerns to the point of stupidity, You’re calling because you’re having problems using the website…
Meanwhile, I’m waiting for sentiment analysis and an idiot computer telling me I sound frustrated, How are things at home? Are you having a bad day?
In other news, MS Head of AI says Clippy is making a comeback...
Related
Microsoft's controversial Windows Recall feature is coming back in October
Microsoft will relaunch the Windows Recall feature in October 2024 for testing, focusing on security and privacy concerns. A similar manual screenshot feature has been launched by Google for Pixel 9 devices.
Companies ground Microsoft Copilot over data governance concerns
Many enterprises are pausing Microsoft Copilot implementations due to data governance concerns, with half of surveyed chief data officers restricting use over security issues and complex data access permissions.
Microsoft's more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users
Microsoft redesigned its AI-powered Recall feature to enhance security and privacy, making it opt-in, with full encryption, user authentication, and the ability to block specific apps before its October preview.
Microsoft re-launches 'privacy nightmare' AI screenshot tool
Microsoft will relaunch its AI screenshot tool, Recall, in November 2024, after addressing privacy concerns. The tool will be opt-in, available on CoPilot+ computers, and enhanced for security.
Microsoft Copilot can now read your screen, think deeply, and speak aloud to you
Microsoft has launched new Copilot features, including Copilot Vision for screen content interpretation, Think Deeper for complex problem-solving, and Copilot Voice for spoken interaction, with personalization options forthcoming.