Microsoft has rolled out a preview of Copilot Vision that says more about poor website design rather than justifying the need to introduce more AI into users’ lives.
THE preview is only available to Copilot Pro subscribers, and only in the United States at the moment. The service “scans” the website a user is viewing to provide suggestions and contextual information.
Are you shopping for the holidays? Copilot Vision can suggest products that match a user’s needs and preferences. Are you planning to visit a museum? Copilot Vision will highlight what a user might need to know. And so on.
Microsoft said, “Browsing no longer needs to be a solitary experience with just you and all your tabs,” making The Reg I wonder exactly what the company is like according to its users. The tool will only work with Microsoft’s browser and is accessible from the base of the Edge window.
“It’s almost like having a second pair of eyes when you’re browsing,” Microsoft said. “Simply activate Copilot Vision to instantly scan, analyze and deliver insights based on what it sees.”
It’s questionable whether Copilot Vision would even be necessary if every website was designed with the user in mind.
It also looks like a potential privacy disaster, which is why Microsoft is keen to insist that the service is “fully opt-in.” It’s up to the user to decide when to turn it on. Additionally, all shared data is deleted. Remember, however, that the service is governed by Microsoft’s rules. Privacy Statementmeaning the company could theoretically collect data for its own purposes.
That said, contrary to what is happening original reveal of RecallMicrosoft is taking a tentative approach with this feature. The company said: “It is important to emphasize that Vision does not capture, store or use any data from publishers to train our models. In short, we prioritize our users’ copyrights, creators, privacy, and security – and put them all first. »
Copilot Vision was the first announcement in October, and this week’s broader release reflects early feedback. It will also only work with a select set of websites. Microsoft said: “We’re taking our time to gather feedback, iterate on the technology, and expand access to more Pro subscribers and more websites over time. » ®