Wanted to post this because all the pro/con arguments in the media are becoming impossible to avoid. While consensus seems to be solidifying around the idea that AI is going to be most useful to the average person when using their phone, Microsoft is scrambling to try and find a way to make AI relevant when you're using Windows. It's useful to coders, investors, and creators, but beyond that, the people who seem to be using it the most are scammers of one sort or another, and cyber criminals.
And so, Microsoft thought up Recall, which is like a super search, finding anything on your laptop, PC, or tablet that you've had on-screen. So far no one outside of Microsoft, and the manufacturers planning to release ARM-powered AI-centric laptops this summer, has had hands on and knows how it works real-world. What we do know, based on what Microsoft's published, is that Recall will constantly take screenshots of your desktop, will use AI to interpret those screenshots, and use a database to keep track of everything. If Windows setup detects that your hardware meets the standards -- so far only the new ARM CPUs -- Recall is installed and turned on by default, though Microsoft is allegedly thinking about changing the on by default part. You will be able to tell Recall what not to take a snapshot of, e.g., your password app. Storage required/used is as expected large -- large enough to completely fill the smaller SSDs common in many laptops.
The risk involved is essentially the same as having sensitive info displayed on-screen -- if your device has been compromised, so that someone else has remote access to everything, they can see the same sensitive info that you can. But with Recall it's magnitudes worse since someone with remote access can now see everything you've ever had on your screen. Those in favor of Recall point out that no one can ever see your stuff if they're not logged into your copy of Windows, and if someone does get logged-in status, it's basically game over anyway. Those against Recall point out that you're putting all this data in one easy to find place -- easier to steal much more efficiently. Obviously, if you carry a laptop to another country where customs will do a hands-on inspection Recall is a Horrible idea. Same if your device is seized by authorities. Realistically, in a world where people use 123 or password as their password, lots of folks won't care if Recall makes them less secure.
Recall will 1st be available on devices with the new Qualcomm CPUs, and presumably later in the summer on AMD & Intel powered laptops with qualifying NPUs. It is possible to trick Win11 into installing the necessary parts so you can get Recall working on non-complaint hardware, but only ARM code has been released so far -- those running AMD &/or Intel will have to wait until compatible code's available.