Microsoft is planning to introduce AI assistants with excellent long-term memory in about a year, according to Mustafa Suleyman, the company’s head of AI.
These advanced assistants will be able to remember conversations, projects, and personal details, encouraging users to share more about their lives.
Suleyman believes this technology will lead us into a new era where helpful AI companions are always present in our daily routines .
However, critics are worried about potential problems, including data security and privacy. They fear that AI might give wrong advice or show bias. Supporters of AI argue that for these tools to be useful, they must be deeply integrated into our lives.
For example, an AI diary manager can effectively organize your schedule only if it has access to and remembers your past activities .
Suleyman points out that people’s expectations of privacy have changed. For instance, many devices like smartphones and TVs are continuously recording, and features like iPhone’s Live View show that people often appreciate having more context, such as audio alongside photos.
He believes the key factors in whether people accept this technology are the benefits it offers, how much control they feel they have over it, and their trust in the company providing it .
Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and is competing to lead the rapidly growing AI market. Yet, research indicates that people don’t always use AI tools consistently.
A recent poll showed that while 29% of UK respondents had tried ChatGPT, only 2% used it daily . Suleyman acknowledged that AI tools might not be as universally popular as smartphones, suggesting that while 90% of people have smartphones, only around half might embrace AI .
Despite concerns, Suleyman argues that AI is growing faster than any technology in history and firmly believes that it’s not just a passing trend.
He shared a story of a woman who built her business with help from an AI chatbot he created, emphasizing that this technology provides personalized and interactive knowledge at little cost .
Recently, Microsoft announced new features for its AI assistant, CoPilot, such as a voice function and a daily news digest. They also introduced CoPilot Vision, which will assist users while they browse the web but will not record or store any data.
After some privacy concerns, Microsoft paused the release of another tool called Recall, which was designed to take frequent screenshots .
The future of AI seems promising, but it comes with challenges that need careful consideration, especially regarding privacy and the quality of advice given.
This debate reflects a larger conversation about how technology shapes our daily lives and the importance of balancing innovation with user trust .
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj9vmnlv9zo