MS Word scrapes word docs for AI training data
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Sharing what I've shared on other platforms here:
MS Word uses word docs (i.e., whatever we’re typing when we use MS Word) to train its LLMs (large language models, the training data that supports generative AI).One drawback to opting out: if you opt out, you lose access to dictation, text suggestions, transcription, translation and probably other functions as well.
To opt out:
On a Windows computer, follow these steps to turn off “Connected Experiences”: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings > Optional Connected Experiences > Uncheck box: “Turn on optional connected experiences”Source:
https://medium.com/illumination/ms-word-is-using-you-to-train-ai-86d6a4d87021My comment: If you think there’s any app or online platform where your words aren’t going to be scraped and used as AI training data, think again.
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For my work, I am using a 2016 edition of Office, and the software lives on my hard drive. There is no connection to the cloud whatsoever. However I have a tablet and another laptop that use the online Office subscription, so I will definitely do as you report here for options. I didn't have any trouble finding an earlier edition of Office and getting it to work on my Win7 machine. One of the reasons for doing this is not wanting the intrusions of later versions of Windows. It's strictly for my writing. Web surfing and research happen on the tablet, which is run by Android. Thought I'd mention this in case anyone else here would like to escape Win11.
