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

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Category: Technology/Innovations

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. chatbot / ˈtʃætˌbɒt / (n.) – a computer program designed to imitate a conversation with human users, typically over the internet
    Example:

    We implemented a chatbot on our website to handle frequently asked questions from customers.


  2. lifelike / ˈlaɪfˌlaɪk / (adj.) – seeming to be alive or looking like a real person or thing
    Example:

    The lifelike wax figures in the museum were so convincing.


  3. photographic memory / ˌfoʊ təˈgræf ɪk ˈmɛm ə ri / (n.) – the ability to remember things, such as information, images, etc., in exact detail
    Example:

    She has a photographic memory, so she can recall every detail of the map after just one glance.


  4. periodically / ˌpɪər iˈɒd ɪk li / (adv.) – at regular intervals or from time to time, with gaps or breaks in between
    Example:

    The manager checks in with the team periodically to ensure that everyone is on track with the project.


  5. banter / ˈbæn tər / (v.) – to talk to someone in a funny and friendly way
    Example:

    During the long ride, we bantered back and forth, making jokes and keeping each other entertained.


Article

Read the text below.

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 May 20 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.


The announcements ahead of Microsoft’s annual Build developer conference in Seattle centered on imbuing AI features into a product where Microsoft already has the eyes of millions of consumers: the Windows operating system for personal computers.


The new features will include Windows Recall, enabling the AI assistant to “access virtually what you have seen or done on your PC in a way that feels like having photographic memory.” Microsoft promises to protect users’ privacy by giving them the option to filter out what they don’t want tracked.


The conference follows big AI announcements from rival Google, as well as Microsoft’s close business partner OpenAI, which built the AI large language models on which Microsoft’s Copilot is based.


Google rolled out a retooled search engine that periodically puts AI-generated summaries over website links at the top of the results page; while also showing off a still-in-development AI assistant Astra that will be able to “see” and converse about things shown through a smartphone’s camera lens.


ChatGPT-maker OpenAI unveiled a new version of its chatbot, demonstrating an AI voice assistant with human characteristics that can banter about what someone’s wearing and even attempt to assess a person’s emotions. The voice sounded so much like Scarlett Johansson playing an AI character in the sci-fi movie “Her” that OpenAI dropped the voice from its collection.


The newly AI-enhanced Windows PCs will start rolling out on June 18 on computers made by Microsoft partners Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, as well as on Microsoft’s Surface line of devices. But they’ll be reserved for premium models starting at $999.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • How comfortable are you with the idea of an AI assistant having a photographic memory of your computer activities? Do you think this feature will enhance productivity or raise privacy concerns? Discuss.
  • How do you feel about the increasing integration of AI technology into everyday life, such as AI assistants in homes, offices, and mobile devices (ex. it makes life easier, it’s concerning)? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • What are your views on creating AI with human-like traits (ex. it’s beneficial, it’s potentially problematic)? Would you be interested in using AI with human-like traits? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In which situations do you prefer interacting with a human (ex. when I need emotional support)? How about situations in which you prefer interacting with an AI (ex. when I need quick information or assistance)? Discuss.