Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s head of AI, has indicated that artificial intelligence assistants equipped with “really good long-term memory” are expected to be available within the following year.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, he stated that products capable of recalling conversations, projects, and problems will motivate users to dedicate more time and share more significant aspects of their personal history.
“We are entering a fundamentally new era characterized by the presence of persistent and highly capable co-pilot companions that will accompany individuals in their daily lives,” he stated.
Critics have raised concerns regarding the extent of this integration, highlighting issues such as data security and privacy, the potential for AI tools to provide inaccurate advice or information, and the risk of inherent bias against the individuals they aim to assist.
Proponents of AI contend that for these tools to reach their full potential, they must be intricately woven into the fabric of daily life. They assert that genuine assistance can only be achieved when these systems comprehensively understand their assigned tasks’ history and context.
An AI diary manager can organize your schedule only if it can access, edit, and remember details about your activities.
Mr. Suleyman contended that the expectations surrounding privacy for many individuals have evolved over the years.
He stated that devices, including TVs, laptops, phones, in-car cameras, and earbuds, are currently “recording continuously everywhere” in everyday settings. He also highlighted an example of an iPhone feature, Live View, that captures video and audio while a photo is taken.
“That feature is widely appreciated by the majority,” he stated.
“While some individuals choose to disable it, this represents a notable change in the standard perception of what constitutes a photograph.”
He emphasized that the advantages of this technology, along with individuals’ perceptions of their ability to manage its use and their trust in the provider, play crucial roles in determining the willingness to adopt it.
Dynamic shift or a temporary blip?
Microsoft has poured billions into OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the competitive landscape where tech giants vie for dominance in developing and regulating advanced and swiftly advancing technology.
However, certain studies indicate that individuals need to use it consistently. A recent poll conducted by the Reuters Institute in August revealed that 29% of respondents in the UK reported having used ChatGPT, while a mere 2% indicated they utilized the tool daily.
Mr. Suleyman acknowledged that consumer AI tools might achieve a different level of global popularity than smartphones.
“Perhaps this is unlike the smartphone,” he remarked.
Almost 90% of the global population now possesses a smartphone. However, this situation may change, and around half of the population may turn away from AI tools.
He noted that, to date, AI has emerged as the fastest-growing and most widely adopted technology in history, even in light of its potential risks.
He firmly dismissed the notion, suggested by numerous industry observers, including Jim Covello, the head of stock research at Goldman Sachs, that AI could become a bubble akin to previous tech trends.
A man recounted his encounter with a woman who claimed to have established her business with the assistance and encouragement of a chatbot he created, Pi.
“We are undoubtedly generating personalized, interactive knowledge that is readily accessible at no additional cost,” he stated.
“I find it completely incomprehensible to suggest that this might be a bubble.”
Microsoft has announced a series of new features for its AI assistant, CoPilot. Among the updates are a voice function, a daily news digest, and a specialized chatbot named Think Deeper, designed to handle more complex or detailed inquiries at a slower pace.
The announcement also features CoPilot Vision, a new tool integrated into the Edge web browser that, once activated, monitors web pages and provides assistance with online activities.
The company has stated that Vision will not record or store any data, requires manual activation, and will automatically shut down after each browser session.
Microsoft has decided to restrict the selection of sites it will collaborate with, and a release date has yet to be established.
During the summer, the technology powerhouse halted the rollout of an AI tool named Recall. This tool, designed to capture screenshots at regular intervals to assist users in locating previously viewed content, faced significant criticism from privacy advocates and scrutiny from the UK’s data protection authority.
