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Windows 11 Preview Introduces Controversial AI Feature for Searching Audio and Video Files by Specific Words
Microsoft is exploring a new AI-driven feature in its Windows 11 Canary build 27695, dubbed “Intelligent Media Search,” that allows users to search for specific spoken words within their stored audio and video files. The feature transcribes the content of these media files, making spoken words searchable across a user’s device.
The potential use cases for Intelligent Media Search include finding specific mentions during recorded meetings or helping content creators locate particular moments in their video libraries. However, the feature raises significant privacy concerns, especially in light of Microsoft’s previous “Recall” controversy, which involved a feature that took periodic screenshots of users’ activities to create a searchable timeline.
Microsoft’s description of the new feature indicates that users must consent to having their media files scanned. An AI model will be downloaded and installed, which will then transcribe and index the files. Despite the privacy implications, the company assures users that the feature is opt-in and the indexed database will be encrypted.
Critics are concerned that the data scanned by the AI could be used by Microsoft for further AI training or targeted advertising, along with the inherent security risks of such a feature. Like Recall, Intelligent Media Search may be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which require devices to have an NPU capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). The full release of this feature is expected in Insider builds starting this October. Read More……………………