Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC

[oldbrownhat]

Call me paranoid, but I don't like the sound of this unless it can be completely (not just selectively) disabled. Article here

Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.

The software giant on Monday revealed an upgraded version of Copilot, its AI assistant, as it confronts heightened competition from Big Tech rivals in pitching generative AI technology that can compose documents, make images and serve as a lifelike personal assistant at work or home...
​

Why bother to learn anything if your PC will do it all for you?
Now I'm a Mac user, but I wouldn't be surprised if the clever little bio-persons at Apple aren't working on something similar.

EDIT: Apparently you can do it in W10 but you have to edit the Registry. In Windows 11 it seems to be easier.

 

[Telecaster]

Are users actually asking for this feature? Somehow I doubt it. Maybe a small percentage, but it’s like internal locks. Seemed like the thing to do, and customers don’t matter.

 

[johngalt]

This kind of stuff makes me more interested in linux

 

[03hemi]

But it can't even draw people or items correctly, too much info out there and it clogs up and fails. People come out with disfigured hands and fingers, guitars have 7 strings with only 5 pegs, etc...

 

[Telecaster]

If AI draws data from the internet, it will all be lies. Garbage in, garbage out.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Are users actually asking for this feature? Somehow I doubt it....

Well, to quote "the other guy", Steve Jobs:

Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.​

Seems the Apple hasn't fallen far from the other tree.

This kind of stuff makes me more interested in linux

For a lot of basic things, Linux is pretty good although it may take some fiddling to run on some PCs. I have it on an old HP Netbook (remember those gutless things?). You've got open-source equivs. for Office, like Libre Office and Open Office. I use Libre Office on my Macs and my Dell laptop. Some programs are kinda clunky, though.

If AI draws data from the internet, it will all be lies. Garbage in, garbage out.

Well, "the truth is out there", although as a certain Roman governor once said, "What is truth?". AI powers most internet searches, no matter what O/S you're using, so it's a matter of having the best garbage collector

I've noticed recently that some search results beyond the first dozen or so are increasingly WAY off the mark. Many years ago, there were articles on using Boolean terms for refining internet searches. I never figured that out, but it might be worth looking into.

As far as CoPilot goes, I think one of the articles says in W10 you can hide it, without actually plunging into editing the registry, so that may be enough for most folks. It's the intrusion that irks me. I use Skype for daily video conversations with my gf and I see MSoft has now started putting a "suggestion" into the "Chats" pane on the LH side every week or so. I can hide them, but I'd rather just not have them appear in the first place. I don't need anyone to tell me what they think I might be interested in, thank you.

 

[Golddollar]

Artificial Intelligence? I'm still having problems dealing with natural intelligence.

 

[soFlaNative]

Tin foil 'puter lid?

 

[oldbrownhat]

Tin foil 'puter lid?

LOL. Am looking on Amazon for this now "More news at 6"

 

[Telecaster]

For ‘net searches, you have to ask, who programs the AI? It’s been known for years that Google etc. filter searches to give us what they want us to want. Eff them. AI will be the same, but they can hide behind the claim of artificiality. It’s still man-made.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Another article on this, from the BBC

UK watchdog looking into Microsoft AI taking screenshots

...Microsoft says Recall is an "optional experience" and it is committed to privacy and security.According to its website, users "can limit which snapshots Recall collects".

"Recall data is only stored locally and not accessed by Microsoft or anyone who does not have device access," the firm said in a statement.

And it said a would-be hacker would need to gain physical access to your device, unlock it and sign in before they could access saved screenshots...

...Recall has the ability to search through all users' past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing history.

Many devices can already do this - but Recall also takes screenshots every few seconds and searches these too...

Microsoft says it "built privacy into Recall’s design" from the beginning, and users will have control over what is captured.

For example, users can opt out of capturing certain websites, and private browsing on Microsoft's own Edge browser will not be captured...

And Daniel Tozer, data and privacy expert at Keystone Law, said the system reminded him of dystopian Netflix programme Black Mirror.

"Microsoft will need a lawful basis to record and re-display the user’s personal information," he said.

"There may well be information on the screen which is proprietary or confidential to the user’s employer; will the business be happy for Microsoft to be recording this?

And he asked how consent would work for people appearing on the screen on a video call or photo.

"Are they going to be given the choice as to whether to consent to that? User and access controls will be a key issue on which Microsoft will doubtless be focussing," he said...

According to Microsoft, Recall will not moderate or remove information from screenshots which contain passwords or financial account information.

"That data may be in snapshots that are stored on your device, especially when sites do not follow standard internet protocols like cloaking password entry," said Ms Caltrider.

"I wouldn’t want to use a computer running Recall to do anything I wouldn’t do in front of a busload of strangers.

"That means no more logging into financial accounts, looking up sensitive health information, asking embarrassing questions, or even looking up information about a domestic violence shelter, reproductive health clinic, or immigration lawyer."​

I guess it all boils down to who you can trust. Color me skeptical.

 

[delcrossv]

Great. More globalist corporate spying on my computer.

[sarcasm]I'm thrilled.[/sarcasm]