Elon Musk Said He'd 'Definitely' Turn This Windows PC Feature Off. Here's What Got Him Worried

Elon Musk, a prominent critic of many AI advancements, particularly those from rival companies, expressed his disapproval on X (formerly Twitter).

Musk likened Windows' new Recall feature to a "Black Mirror episode". ( Image Source :Getty )

Microsoft has got Elon Musk worried. The Redmond giant on Monday introduced an upgraded version of its AI assistant, Copilot. This enhancement aims to offer users a more intuitive and predictive experience by enabling the AI to recall user activities and anticipate future actions. A standout feature of the upgrade is Windows Recall, which equips Copilot with near-photographic memory capabilities, meticulously tracking user activities on their PCs.

This innovation does mark a substantial leap in AI functionality, positioning Microsoft ahead in the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence. However, despite the technological strides, the announcement has not been without controversy.

Elon Musk, a prominent critic of many AI advancements, particularly those from rival companies, expressed his disapproval on X (formerly Twitter). Musk likened the feature to a "Black Mirror episode" and firmly stated his intention to disable it.

This is a Black Mirror episode.

Definitely turning this “feature” off. https://t.co/bx1KLqLf67

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2024

Addressing privacy concerns, Microsoft has emphasized that users have control over which activities are monitored. The company reassures that activity tracking can be filtered according to user preferences, aiming to maintain a balance between functionality and privacy.

AI Fever Catches On

This announcement from Microsoft arrives amid a flurry of AI-related developments by other industry giants. Google has recently enhanced its search engine with AI-generated summaries, while OpenAI, a close collaborator with Microsoft and the developer behind the language models powering Copilot, has introduced a new voice assistant known for its lifelike responses.

Anticipation builds as Apple prepares for its developer conference in June, where CEO Tim Cook is expected to reveal advancements in generative AI. Microsoft’s timing appears strategic, aiming to capture attention ahead of Apple’s event.

The new AI features in Windows, including the much-discussed Windows Recall, will be available starting June 18. Initially, these features will roll out on high-end models from manufacturers such as Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, as well as on Microsoft's own Surface devices, with prices starting at $999.