Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) assistants with “really good long-term memory” are just around the corner, set to arrive within the next year. These advanced AI products will be able to recall conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to invest more time and share more personal history with them.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Suleyman shared his vision of a future where AI assistants will be ever-present, persistent, and highly capable co-pilot companions in our everyday lives. However, critics have raised concerns about the integration of such advanced AI technology, citing issues such as data security, privacy, the potential for bad advice or wrong information, and inherent biases.
Despite these concerns, AI supporters argue that for these tools to be truly useful, they must be deeply embedded in our lives, understanding the history and context behind the tasks they are assigned. Suleyman pointed out that privacy expectations have evolved over time, with many devices already recording continuously in ordinary environments.
Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, positioning itself as a market leader in the rapidly evolving AI technology landscape. However, research suggests that while AI tools are growing in popularity, they may not reach the same level of global adoption as smartphones.
Suleyman remains optimistic about the future of AI, dismissing the idea that it could be a bubble like previous tech trends. Microsoft has unveiled new additions to its AI assistant range, including CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online activity without recording or storing data.
While Microsoft faced backlash over an AI tool called Recall, which takes screenshots to help users find previous work, the company has announced additional security measures for its re-launch in November. As AI technology continues to advance, the debate over privacy, security, and trust in these tools will undoubtedly persist.
