Intelligence generated by machines. - Microsoft delays the release of its debatable AI search tool.
Microsoft delays the introduction of a new Windows search feature called "Recall" that saves screenshots every few seconds after receiving heavy criticism.
Initially, the feature was set to be released on June 18th alongside a new PC model. However, Microsoft has now decided to test it in a smaller scale within the "Windows Insider" program before making it available to the public.
"Recall" aims to make it easier for users to find information on their PC. The function uses AI to analyze the multitude of screenshots and organize them into folders. For example, if you can't recall the name of a travel website you visited but remember it had palm trees and a beach, you could find it by searching for "Palms and Beach."
AI security researchers cautioned against potential data protection issues with the feature, stating that under certain conditions, cyber attackers could access the lists. Last week, Microsoft announced improved security measures for "Recall" data and clarified that the feature would not be activated by default during PC setup; users would have to enable it themselves. Despite these changes, criticism continued, resulting in the delay.
Microsoft and PC manufacturers are still planning to launch a new PC category on June 18th that is designed for use with AI. The category, called "Copilot+PC," is named after Microsoft's AI assistant, also known as "Copilot."
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- The controversy around Microsoft's AI search tool had origins in concerns about data protection, especially since the tool, named "Recall," utilizes software to save screenshots and apply artificial intelligence for organization.
- Despite Microsoft's decision to test the "Recall" feature in a limited capacity within the "Windows Insider" program before a wider release, criticism persisted, leading to a delay in its release in the USA.
- The software giant had initially planned to introduce "Recall" on June 18th, coinciding with the launch of a new PC category named "Copilot+PC," which is designed for usage with Microsoft's AI assistant, known as "Copilot."
- The delay in the release of "Recall" highlights the sensitivity in developing and implementing AI features in regular consumer software, prompting developers to pay extra attention to potential risks as AI continues to integrate into various aspects of our digital lives, including computer usage in the USA.
