Is Microsoft really using Word and Excel data to train its AI?

As a seasoned researcher with years of experience in the tech industry, I have witnessed numerous allegations against big-tech companies regarding user data privacy. The recent rumors surrounding Microsoft and its use of MS Word and Excel users’ data for AI training is yet another instance that has piqued my interest.


There’s been talk circulating on social networks that Microsoft, a global technology leader, might be leveraging user data from programs like MS Word and MS Excel to enhance their artificial intelligence systems.

Microsoft plays a significant role in the artificial intelligence landscape, and recent speculations question whether they might extend their involvement further. To clear up these doubts, Microsoft has chosen to directly address these issues, providing definitive answers to all queries on the subject.

According to News18, the source of the confusion was a privacy setting in Microsoft Office that enabled functions such as web-based image searches or online searches. However, this setting did not explicitly mention AI training in its disclosure.

The worries about user data arose when Microsoft made it necessary for users to actively opt-out of the “connected experiences” feature, as they believed this function was being utilized to educate the company’s AI systems.

In response to the allegations, a representative from Microsoft told Reuters that these claims are untrue. They emphasized that Microsoft does not employ any data from Microsoft 365 or its business-focused apps to educate large language models.

The representative went on to explain that these “connected experiences” offer features such as collaborative writing and online storage, but they are independent from the company’s artificial intelligence learning system.

Other major tech firms, such as Adobe and Google, have encountered similar challenges in their content policies and AI systems similar to Microsoft, not just Microsoft alone.

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2024-11-29 17:08