Elon Musk warning about Windows and AI feature
ELON Musk has warned Windows users to turn off a controversial new artificial intelligence feature that is like an “episode of Black Mirror”.
The Tesla boss has been quick to put his views on Microsoft’s latest update for Windows 11 devices. This summer amid fears it could share similarities with a near-future dystopia.
2
2The new AI feature, known as Recall, will take screenshots of everything on the screen so users can scroll back in time and continue working on anything from the past month.
Exclusive to the new Copilot+ range of computers, artificial intelligence is able to analyze text and images in screenshots to help you find what you’re looking for.
Whether it’s phrases, people, animals or landmarks, users will be able to search for anything without needing to know the exact name of the document or website, GB News reports.
Summoning is not enabled by default, but users are asked if they want to take advantage of the AI.
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s chief
The marketing officer, said on the company’s blog that having Recall is like “having a photographic memory.”
The US company also wrote that users are “always in control of privacy you can trust”.
However, following news of Microsoft’s latest update, Musk was quick to voice his concerns on social media.
In response to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s video on the benefits of Recall, he said on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “definitely turning the ‘feature’ off.”
He also compared it to an episode of Black Mirror – a show set in near-future dystopias with sci-fi technology.
Users on his social media platform were quick to respond to the post.
“So a built-in screen recorder. Because it’s not a security risk,” grumbled one.
CIA
“Did the CIA make this up?” said another.
“Uhhhh sounds like tracking wrapped up as a feature,” commented a third.
A fourth person described it as a “huge invasion of privacy”.
Musk isn’t the only one dealing with the new Windows update.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed to the BBC that it “enquired with Microsoft to understand security measures to protect user privacy”.
The data protection regulator added that private companies. “Rigorously assess and mitigate risks to people’s rights and freedoms” before launching new products, the report added.
Microsoft was quick to reassure PC owners about the capabilities. Recalls feature, however, claiming that it will never take screenshots while you’re in private browsing mode.
Artificial intelligence explained
Here’s what you need to know
- Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is a type of computer software
- The computer will usually do what you tell it to do
- But artificial intelligence simulates the human mind and can make its own deductions, conclusions or decisions
- A simple computer can allow you to set an alarm clock to wake you up
- But an AI system can scan your emails, find out you have a meeting tomorrow, and then set an alarm and plan your trip
- AI technology is often “trained” – meaning it observes something (potentially a human) and then learns about the task over time.
- For example, an artificial intelligence system can be fed thousands of photographs of human faces and then generate photographs of human faces on its own.
- Some experts have expressed concern that humans will eventually lose control over super-intelligent AI
- But the tech world is still divided over whether AI technology will end up killing us all in a Terminator-style apocalypse.
Separate exceptions
Separate exceptions can also be added to specific applications where this feature will not apply.
Microsoft also said that Recall will not censor or delete information from screenshots it takes, even if passwords or bank account details are visible on the screen.
But AI and privacy consultant Dr Kris Shrishak believes the AI feature could have a “chilling effect” on people. Due to this controversy Elon Musk closes funding to openAI.
He told the BBC. “It could be a privacy nightmare.
“The mere fact that screenshots will be taken while using the device can have a chilling effect on people.”
Jake Moore, global cyber security advisor at software security firm ESET, said the implications of the AI feature could be a tempting prospect for cybercriminals, GB News reports.
“Enabling a feature that has the ability to capture data on the screen not only offers even more data to the company behind the software, but also opens up another avenue for criminals to attack,” he said.
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