Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants with advanced long-term memory capabilities are expected within a year, according to Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Suleyman revealed that these AI products would be able to recall past conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to invest more time and share personal history with them. He described this as a shift towards a new age where AI “co-pilot companions” will be deeply integrated into everyday life.
Critics, however, have raised concerns regarding data security, privacy, the risk of AI giving incorrect advice, and potential biases in AI interactions. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that for AI tools to be truly effective, they need to be embedded into users’ lives and have access to context and history. For instance, an AI managing a diary can only be helpful if it has access to that diary and can retain information about the user’s activities.
Suleyman acknowledged that people’s privacy expectations have changed over time. He pointed to everyday devices, such as smartphones and TVs, that already continuously record audio and video, citing Apple’s Live View feature, where both are captured simultaneously. He emphasized that the key considerations for embracing AI tech are control over its usage and trust in the provider.
Microsoft, which has heavily invested in OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, leads the race in AI development. However, research indicates that consumer adoption of AI tools is still limited. A Reuters poll in August found that while 29% of UK respondents had tried ChatGPT, only 2% used it daily. Suleyman admitted that AI tools might not reach the global popularity of smartphones, but highlighted that AI has been the fastest-growing technology in history.
Despite skepticism from some analysts, such as Goldman Sachs’ Jim Covello, who suggested AI could become a bubble like previous tech trends, Suleyman dismissed this notion. He shared an example of a woman who successfully built a business using guidance from Pi, a chatbot developed by him, as proof that AI delivers personalized knowledge at no marginal cost.
Microsoft has unveiled new features for its AI assistant range, CoPilot, including a voice function, a daily news digest, and “Think Deeper,” a slower chatbot designed for more complex queries. Another feature, CoPilot Vision, will integrate into the Edge web browser, offering assistance during online activity. Vision will not store data, must be manually activated, and will close at the end of each session.
Earlier this year, Microsoft paused the release of its AI tool, Recall, which took periodic screenshots to help users revisit previous tasks. This came after privacy concerns and an inquiry from the UK’s data watchdog. The tool is set for re-release in November with enhanced security measures.
