At the Build conference on Monday, Microsoft unveiled “Recall,” an innovative AI-powered feature for Windows 11 users with Copilot+ PCs. Recall allows users to search and retrieve past activities on their PCs, aiming to improve productivity and access to information.
How Recall Works
Recall works by taking images of the active screen every few seconds. These snapshots include activities within apps, communications during live meetings, and websites visited. The images are encrypted and stored locally on the user’s hard drive, ensuring that they remain private and secure. Users can search through these snapshots using a search function or a timeline bar, allowing them to revisit specific moments or pieces of information.
Potential Benefits
Recall’s primary benefit is
its ability to provide context and quick access to past activities. For instance, users can locate specific information viewed during a certain period or revisit teleconference meetings and videos. The AI feature transcribes and translates speech, further enhancing the utility of the snapshots by making them searchable through text.
Privacy Concerns
Despite Microsoft’s assurances, the Recall feature has raised significant privacy concerns. The idea of continuous screen capturing implies that anyone with access to a user’s Windows account could potentially view all recent activities on that PC. This poses a risk not just for personal privacy but also for the safety of sensitive individuals such as journalists or activists.
Microsoft has stated that the captured content remains encrypted and stored locally, linked only to the specific user’s account. The snapshots are not shared with other users or accessible to Microsoft for advertisement purposes. Additionally, Recall does not capture images from InPrivate browsing sessions in Microsoft Edge or DRM-protected content. Users also have control over pausing, stopping, or deleting captured content and can exclude specific apps or websites from being recorded.
Comparison with Previous Features
Recall builds upon concepts from previous features like Windows 10’s Timeline, which was discontinued in 2021, and third-party apps like Rewind for Mac, which logs user activities for later playback. However, unlike Timeline, Recall continuously takes snapshots, providing a more detailed log of user activities.
Hardware Requirements
Using Recall requires specific hardware capabilities, which means that only users with new “Copilot Plus PCs” equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips can use this feature. These PCs include the necessary neural processing unit (NPU) to handle the AI functions. There are also storage requirements: a minimum of 256GB of hard drive space with 50GB available for Recall, which can store about three months of snapshots with a default allocation of 25GB. Users can adjust this allocation in their settings, with old snapshots being deleted as needed to manage storage space.
Current Status and Future Developments
As of now, Recall is still in the preview phase. Microsoft is collecting feedback from users to refine the feature, develop more control options for enterprise customers, and improve the overall user experience. During this period, users can test the feature and provide insights that will help Microsoft address any privacy or functionality concerns before the official release.
Conclusion
While Recall offers a promising tool for enhancing productivity and accessing past activities, its comprehensive recording capability brings to the forefront crucial privacy issues. Microsoft’s assurances of local encryption and user control options are steps in the right direction, but the real test will be in how these measures hold up under scrutiny and real-world usage. As the feature continues to develop, it will be essential for Microsoft to balance functionality with robust privacy protections to gain user trust.
Summary: Microsoft has introduced a new AI feature called “Recall” for Copilot+ PCs, designed to help Windows 11 users search and retrieve their past activities. While Recall promises enhanced productivity, it also raises significant privacy concerns due to its comprehensive recording capabilities.
Source: Edwards, Ben. “New Windows AI feature records everything you’ve done on your PC.” Ars Technica, May 21, 2024. You can check out the full article here.
Hi, I'm Voss Xolani, and I'm passionate about all things AI. With many years of experience in the tech industry, I specialize in explaining the functionality and benefits of AI-powered software for both businesses and individual users. My content explores the latest AI tools, offering practical insights on how they can streamline workflows, boost productivity, and drive innovation. I also review new software solutions to help readers understand their features and applications. Beyond that, I stay up-to-date with AI trends and experiment with emerging technologies to provide the most relevant information.