Microsoft Addresses Controversy Surrounding Gaming Copilot AI

Concerns Over Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot AI in Windows 11

Recently, an intriguing revelation emerged when a user on ResetEra uncovered that Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot AI, embedded in Windows 11’s Game Bar, was capturing screenshots of users’ gaming sessions. This data is reportedly sent back to Microsoft, raising alarms about privacy and user consent.

The controversy intensified due to the fact that Gaming Copilot is activated by default, necessitating users to manually disable it. To opt out, players must navigate through the Game Bar to access the Settings, then select Privacy Settings, where they can adjust the “Model training on text”option.

This situation ignited a heated debate among gamers, many of whom perceive the feature as an unwelcome invasion of privacy, stealthily integrated without sufficient user awareness.Tom’s Hardware managed to obtain a clarification from Microsoft regarding the AI’s functionalities:

When you’re actively using Gaming Copilot in Game Bar, it can use screenshots of your gameplay to get a better understanding of what’s happening in your game and provide you with more helpful responses. These screenshots are not used to train AI models, and Gaming Copilot is an optional feature that only has access to gameplay when you’re playing a game and actively using it. Separately, Gaming Copilot may use its text or voice conversations with players to help train and improve AI. Players can adjust Gaming Copilot’s privacy settings by visiting ‘Settings’ in the Game Bar, followed by ‘Privacy Settings.’

The initiative to launch Gaming Copilot began earlier this year with mobile testing, leading to a broader rollout last month for both Windows PCs and the Xbox mobile application. Designed as a virtual assistant tailored for gamers, Gaming Copilot uses artificial intelligence to identify the game in play and monitor Xbox activities. This allows it to respond to inquiries about games, provide relevant links to information, and offer insights based on the player’s account and gaming achievements.

It’s crucial for users to understand that while Gaming Copilot aims to enhance the gaming experience, safeguarding user privacy must remain a top priority. Therefore, it is essential that such features are opt-in rather than default settings, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and allowing gamers to enjoy their experience without unwarranted surveillance.

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