Microsoft is halting forced installs of Microsoft 365 Copilot app

Microsoft is halting forced installs of Microsoft 365 Copilot app

Since October, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app has been automatically installed on computers running Windows 11, a move that has upset many users. Fortunately, Microsoft has taken the criticism on board and is no longer automatically installing this app—for now. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the leveled-up version of Copilot that’s integrated into Office apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license unlocks access to advanced agents like Researcher and Analyst, plus full access to Copilot Studio features. Unfortunately for Microsoft, users have long been unhappy with Copilot’s takeover of Microsoft 365 . Not only does it feel like “AI” is being shoved down our throats at every corner, the “AI” itself is problematic. For example, just last month, a Copilot bug allowed the “AI” assistant to bypass privacy blocks and read confidential Outlook emails . Existing installations of Copilot aren’t affected by this move. Admins can deploy the app via other methods and should await further updates, Microsoft writes in a statement quoted by Windows Latest . Just a few days ago, we reported that Microsoft is rethinking its big AI push in Windows 11 , which is likely linked to the increasingly fierce backlash directed at the company over Copilot. Perhaps this is just one of many steps in its retreat away from AI obsession. Further reading: Microsoft bans users who use term ‘Microslop’

The UK government withdraws a proposal to let AI companies train on copyrighted works, unless creators opt out, after a backlash from artists like Dua Lipa (Graham Fraser/BBC)

The UK government withdraws a proposal to let AI companies train on copyrighted works, unless creators opt out, after a backlash from artists like Dua Lipa (Graham Fraser/BBC)

Graham Fraser / BBC : The UK government withdraws a proposal to let AI companies train on copyrighted works, unless creators opt out, after a backlash from artists like Dua Lipa —  The UK government has backtracked on its position on copyright and AI, stating it must take time to “get this right”.

Elder Scrolls 6 Development Could Go Smoother Than Starfield For A Key Reason

Elder Scrolls 6 Development Could Go Smoother Than Starfield For A Key Reason

The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development now at Bethesda Game Studios, and studio head and game director Todd Howard has said development should go more smoothly than Starfield for a key reason. Speaking to GamesRadar , Howard said the team has done a "much better job" on The Elder Scrolls 6 as compared to Starfield based on the development tools specifically. Starfield was made using Bethesda's Creation Engine 2, and that was a "big change" from Creation Engine 1. This led to challenges for the developers who were "doing things in tandem with old and new." A number of developers had concerns about this, and for The Elder Scrolls 6, the team is using an updated version of the Creation Engine--the Creation Engine 3. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Beautiful.ai, which makes AI tools to design presentation slides, raised $45M in non-dilutive financing from GC's Customer Value Fund and says it is profitable (Chris Metinko/Axios)

Beautiful.ai, which makes AI tools to design presentation slides, raised $45M in non-dilutive financing from GC's Customer Value Fund and says it is profitable (Chris Metinko/Axios)

Chris Metinko / Axios : Beautiful.ai, which makes AI tools to design presentation slides, raised $45M in non-dilutive financing from GC's Customer Value Fund and says it is profitable —  Beautiful.ai, a presentation software startup, has taken a $45 million non-dilutive financing from General Catalyst's Customer Value Fund …