Two years ago, Microsoft launched its first wave of “Copilot+” Windows PCs with a handful of exclusive features that could take advantage of the neural processing unit (NPU) hardware being built into newer laptop processors. These NPUs could enable AI and machine learning features that could run locally rather than in someone’s cloud, theoretically enhancing security and privacy.
One of the first ...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights a genuine tension between innovation and privacy. Microsoft’s initial vision for Recall was ambitious—leveraging local AI to enhance productivity while reducing cloud dependency. The company deserves credit for responding to criticism with concrete security improvements, including encryption, authentication requirements, and opt-in defaults. However, the core premise of continuous surveillance, even with safeguards, remains problematic. The patt...