• Microsoft denies allegations of using customer data from Microsoft 365 applications to train AI models.
• The controversy began with social media posts about the "connected experiences" feature, sparking a debate about data privacy.
• Despite Microsoft's clarification, concerns about data privacy persist, highlighting the public's growing unease about data use in AI training.
• The incident underscores the importance of transparency and ethical practices in data use, especially as AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives.

In a recent development, Microsoft, the tech giant, has categorically denied allegations that it uses customer data from its Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word and Excel, to train artificial intelligence models. This statement was issued in response to a series of social media posts where users claimed that the "connected experiences" feature-enabled by default-was being used for this purpose.

The controversy began when some users pointed out on social media that the company requires users to opt-out of its connected experiences feature, which they argued was used to train AI models. This feature, as explained by Microsoft, enables functions like co-authoring and cloud storage. However, the users' interpretation of this feature sparked a debate about data privacy and the use of personal data in AI training.

In an emailed statement to Reuters, a Microsoft spokesperson clarified, These claims are untrue. Microsoft does not use customer data from Microsoft 365 consumer and commercial applications to train foundational large language models.

Data Privacy Concerns Persist

Despite this clarification, concerns about data privacy persist on social media, with some users expressing unease over their data being potentially used for AI training without explicit consent. This incident underscores the growing concern among the public about how their data is used, especially in the context of AI training.

In addition to the connected experiences feature, Microsoft also highlighted that this feature has been on by default since its introduction in April 2019. This information further emphasizes the company's commitment to transparency and its efforts to address user concerns.

The controversy surrounding Microsoft's use of customer data for AI training is not an isolated incident. In the past, other tech companies have faced similar allegations. For instance, in 2018, Facebook faced backlash over the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the data of millions of Facebook users was harvested without consent for political advertising.

AI and Data Privacy: A Larger Debate

In the context of AI, the use of personal data for training models has been a contentious issue. AI models require large amounts of data for training, and there have been concerns about where this data comes from and whether it is obtained ethically. The controversy surrounding Microsoft's connected experiences feature is a part of this larger debate.

In addition to Microsoft 365, the company also offers a range of AI tools under the Copilot brand. These tools can be used to assist in the creation of documents, presentations, spreadsheets, notes, email, and more. Some versions of Microsoft Copilot include: Copilot for GitHub, targeted at helping professional software developers accelerate development; Copilot in Power Automate to create automated workflows using natural language; Microsoft Sales Copilot is designed to help sales professionals streamline selling processes and CRM updates.