Microsoft’s upcoming AI powered Windows 11 update is rushing towards users and some of the details aren’t necessarily positive for users who were looking forward to trying it out on their current devices.
According to screenshots from users who are testing out Microsoft’s new Cocreator feature in Microsoft Paint, it looks like there are going to be certain stipulations for gaining access to the AI powered tool that includes a PC with a resolute Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and a Microsoft Account.
While neither an NPU or Microsoft Account is currently required to play around with the pre-generative Image Creator function currently in Paint that allows for text-to-image creation, the more robust Cocreator experience that leverages AI to modify and enhance sketches, doodles, or drawings appears to be require a bit more processing power and security.
During its presentation of Cocreator a few weeks ago, Microsoft paired the demo with mentions of the benefits of Qualcomm’s new SoCs that housed new NPUs capable of 45 TOPs to power a myriad of upcoming Windows AI features. However, Microsoft did not explicitly state that access to Cocreate in Paint would be gatekept by an NPU with support of 40 TOPs minimum.
Furthermore, a secondary requirement of a Microsoft Account is another blindside stipulation for users who believed that AI functions would be localized, and thus authentications to Microsoft servers would be unnecessary.
Nevertheless, Microsoft accompanies Cocreator’s Sign-In prompt with a security disclaimer that reads:
Microsoft account is required
Sign in with your Microsoft account to start making art with Cocreator.
When you’re signed in, Microsoft will collect information about your interaction with Cocreator for AI safety and security purposes. Learn more.
Sign In
It seems Cocreator will pass on prompts, device attributes, and context to prevent the generation of offensive or inappropriate content, ala the Taylor Swift deepfake incident of last year.
In practical use, it’s unclear if the new Microsoft Paint will do a device check to ensure the minimum requirements are met or if Microsoft is working on some sort of middleware solution that opt-ins the users to a ping to the cloud to power results for slightly older devices than the ones being released next week.
It would be a real shame for PC buyers who bought new PCs in the last month to be locked out of some of these newer Windows experiences for years.
