Microsoft has denied claims that it makes use of Microsoft 365 apps (together with Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint) to gather information to coach the corporate’s synthetic intelligence (AI) fashions.
“Microsoft does not use customer data from Microsoft 365 consumer and commercial applications to train large language models. Additionally, the Connected Services setting has no connection to how Microsoft trains large language models,” a Microsoft spokesperson informed BleepingComputer on Monday.
This comes after a Tumblr weblog put up claiming that Redmond used a “Connected Experiences” function to scrape clients’ Phrase and Excel information for AI coaching unfold on social media.
Nevertheless, Microsoft informed BleepingComputer that this optionally available setting is enabled by default and has been out there since April 2019, refuting that it’s used to coach its AI. BleepingComputer additionally requested if it has at all times been enabled by default however didn’t obtain a response earlier than publishing.
“The Connected Experiences feature enables features like co-authoring, real-time grammar suggestions, and web-based resources,” BleepingComputer was informed.
“These features are on by default because they’re features people naturally expect in a cloud-connected productivity tool. However, customers always have control and can adjust their Connected Experiences settings at any time.”
As Microsoft explains on its assist web site, the function is used to:
- Present design suggestions, modifying strategies, or information insights based mostly on the Workplace content material, via options like PowerPoint Designer or Translator,
- Or obtain on-line content material templates, pictures, 3D fashions, movies, and reference supplies, together with however not restricted to Workplace templates or PowerPoint QuickStarter.
To toggle this function on or off, Microsoft 365 customers need to open their Workplace apps (like Phrase or Excel) and select whether or not to allow or disable experiences that obtain on-line content material or analyze their content material underneath “Connected experiences” after going to the File > Account > Account Privateness > Handle Settings menu.
”The Connected Experiences setting enables cloud-backed features designed to increase your productivity in the Microsoft 365 apps like suggesting relevant information and images from the web, real-time co-authoring and cloud storage, and tools like Editor in Word that provide spelling and grammar suggestions,” Microsoft additionally informed BleepingComputer.
“Microsoft has been using AI in Microsoft 365 for years to enhance productivity and creativity through features like Designer in PowerPoint, which helps create visually compelling slides, and Editor in Word, which provides grammar and writing suggestions. These features do not rely on generative AI or LLMs but rather use simpler machine learning algorithms.”
Microsoft added that the setting has been out there since April 2019, with enterprise admins having the choice to decide on if linked experiences can be found to customers of their organizations utilizing a number of coverage settings designed to handle privateness controls for Microsoft 365 Apps and Workplace on Mac, iOS, and Android gadgets.
