Central to the next major Windows update, generative artificial intelligence promises to make its way into most Microsoft programs, in the aim of boosting user productivity. Users should, however, be able to decide which applications can and can't make use of the technology.

Faced with concerns that generative AI could be too invasive, Microsoft is reportedly set to give users a say in how applications access these artificial intelligent tools. According to the XDA Developers website, the incoming major update to Windows 11 (24H2), expected by the end of the year, will offer the possibility of defining individual permissions for each application.

This will enable users to disable the use of generative AI for some or all applications. On a larger scale, companies will be able to disable access to this AI for all their employees if they deem it inappropriate or unnecessary.

The integration of generative artificial intelligence into Windows should simplify system management, as well as the day-to-day use of most of its accompanying programs. At the core of this update are the latest developments for Microsoft's Copilot, provided it finally complies with European legislation on digital markets (DMA).

Indeed, until further notice, Europeans will be left without Copilot, the AI-powered intelligent assistant with which it is possible to interact or customize a computer's operating system. The assistant can be useful for working on various documents (rewriting, summarising or simply explaining them) and can answer practical questions. It can be accessed directly from the taskbar, and soon via a dedicated button on future PCs.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has sought to reassure users after its new Recall feature sparked controversy. In fact, the firm has said that Recall will now be an opt-in feature rather than activated by default. Considered to be particularly intrusive, but promising to facilitate PC searches, Recall is designed to take a series of screenshots of the computer at regular intervals and then save them locally, raising questions about privacy. Initially, however, this feature will only be available on the new Copilot+ PCs, which are due to go on sale this summer.

 - AFP Relaxnews