Microsoft's AI-Powered Recall Helps You Find Anything on Your PC

Searching in Windows 11 is now faster and more efficient.

Microsoft launched Recall for Copilot Plus PCs, a Windows 11 feature that tracks user activities and provides complete search and retrieval.

The "AI Explorer" tracks app activity, live meeting conversations, and all websites viewed. For contextual memory, Recall allows users to search for a snapshot of their activity, according to The Verge.

The tool provides a chronology of PC activity and searches for live meetings and movies using Live Captions, which transcribe and translate speech.

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Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella speaks during the Microsoft May 20 Briefing event at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington, on May 20, 2024. Nadella unveiled a new category of PC on Monday that features generative artificial intelligence tools built directly into Windows, the company's world leading operating system. JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images

Microsoft Ensures Windows Users' Data Privacy

Microsoft guarantees that the Recall index is local and private on the device. Users may exclude applications and websites and pause, stop, or delete captured material.

Recall does not log Microsoft Edge private browsing or DRM-protected material. Microsoft says it doesn't moderate content or hide passwords and bank account data. The tech giant also ensured users that saved data would not be utilized for AI model training.

Recall is only accessible on new "Copilot Plus PCs" with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPUs, which have the NPU needed for the utility.

At a recent event, Microsoft Product Manager Caroline Hernandez showcased Windows 11's Recall function. She demonstrated how Recall facilitates looking for goods, such as a Pinterest blue dress.

Voice commands allow users to quickly find recent queries in the Recall timeline without looking through their browser history. When Hernandez specified "blue pantsuit with sequined lace for Abuelita," Recall properly returned the results.

Moreover, Recall can find PC emails, documents, and chat threads. In a garment search, Microsoft claims the tool uses semantic correlations to match words like "peacock" to blue.

Recall was also used to find a PowerPoint presentation or a team meeting marketing line. Even with vague contextual hints, recall reveals details.

According to Engadget, the function recognizes text, photos, video, and more using over 40 local multimodal small language models.

Starting June 18, only Copilot+ PCs can access Recall after Windows upgrades.

New Generation PCs: More Powerful

In a video during Monday's presentation, Microsoft included Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm CEOs to promote its chip alliance, as reported by Axios. Qualcomm's new processors took center stage, while Microsoft confirmed its Intel and AMD partnerships.

Qualcomm's CPUs give Microsoft an edge over Apple's Macs in battery life and performance. Microsoft claimed Qualcomm-powered Windows computers outperformed M3-powered Macs on benchmarks by 58%.

At the press briefing, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that computers can now comprehend and predict our intentions.

Microsoft's announcement follows Google and OpenAI's AI advances, while Apple will explain its generative AI plan at WWDC on June 10.

This update follows reports that Microsoft has allegedly asked 700 to 800 China-based staff to consider moving abroad, as previously reported by TechTimes.

The tech giant's action comes amid worsening US-China ties as Washington has begun imposing restrictions to limit Beijing's access to innovative technology, including AI.

Microsoft is considering relocating its staff to machine learning and cloud computing. Chinese engineers have been offered transfers to the US, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The Windows developer has not stated how many employees were contacted.

A Microsoft representative stated that creating internal opportunities is part of its global operations, which will also operate in China and other locations.

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