REDMOND, Wash. — New laptops equipped with Microsoft Windows start shipping to customers next week without a flagship feature called Recall that drew concerns about privacy and cybersecurity.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella touted the new Recall feature at a showcase event last month, describing it as a step toward artificial intelligence machines that “instantly see us, hear, reason about our intent and our surroundings.”
Recall works by periodically taking snapshots of a computer screen to give Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot a “photographic memory” of a person’s virtual activity, ostensibly to help someone remember what they did earlier.
“We’re entering this new era where computers not only understand us, but can actually anticipate what we want and our intent,” Nadella said in May.
But on Thursday, the company said it was delaying a “broadly available” preview of Recall that was supposed to be included with new PCs starting Tuesday.
Instead, it will first go to a smaller set of users who are part of the Windows Insider software testing program. Those expert early adopters will help “ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security,” said Pavan Davaluri, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows and devices, in a statement.
The software giant revealed a new class of AI-imbued personal computers at its annual Build event last month 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.
The new AI features in Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system will appear on new high-end computers made by Microsoft partners Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung, as well as on Microsoft’s Surface line of devices.
Microsoft has announced that it will be postponing the release of its controversial AI Recall feature on new Windows computers. The feature, which was set to be included in the latest update to the Windows operating system, has been met with criticism and concern from privacy advocates and consumers alike.
The AI Recall feature was designed to help users retrieve deleted files and documents by using artificial intelligence algorithms to scan and recover lost data. However, many have raised concerns about the potential implications of such a feature, particularly in terms of privacy and security.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft has decided to delay the release of the AI Recall feature in order to address these issues and ensure that the feature meets the highest standards of privacy and security. The company has stated that it is committed to protecting user data and will take the necessary steps to ensure that the feature is implemented in a way that respects user privacy and security.
While the delay may be disappointing for some users who were looking forward to the convenience of the AI Recall feature, it is ultimately a positive step towards ensuring that user data is protected and that privacy concerns are addressed. Microsoft has stated that it will continue to work on the feature and will provide updates on its progress in the coming months.
In the meantime, users can rest assured that Microsoft is taking their privacy and security seriously and is committed to delivering a safe and secure computing experience. As technology continues to evolve, it is important for companies like Microsoft to prioritize user privacy and security in order to build trust with their customers.
