Microsoft denies using customer data to train AI models from Microsoft 365 apps: Key details

Microsoft 365

Popular work-based applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which are part of the Microsoft 365 application suite, have received lots of criticism lately due to its "connected experiences" feature, which users argue is used to train artificial models (AI). However, Microsoft has denied any such claims by calling them ‘untrue’.

What’s the exact issue?

A Microsoft spokesperson has stated to Reuters, “These claims are untrue. Microsoft does not use customer data from Microsoft 365 consumer and commercial applications to train foundational large language models. Further, Microsoft has confirmed that its connected experiences" enables features such as co-authoring and cloud storage, and has no connection to how the company trains its large language models.

Microsoft communications head Frank Shaw also addressed the issue on Bluesky, rejecting these claims and added that customer data from Microsoft 365 applications is not used to train AI models. Interestingly, there is no mention of the use of data for training AI models in the disclosure of Microsoft 365 apps.

Previously, Adobe was also criticised for updating its terms of service, which were interpreted as favoring AI training from user data. The company then clarified that it was not training its generative AI models on user data. However, many users on social media still believe that their data is being used by these apps to train AI models without permission.