Microsoft Responds to Concerns About AI Training Using Office Docs

Microsoft has clarified that it isn’t using customer data from Microsoft 365 apps, like Word and Excel, to train its AI models, following recent reports suggesting otherwise.

The confusion stemmed from a setting in Microsoft Office that controls “optional connected experiences.”

This feature, which helps users search for online pictures or find online information, is on by default but doesn’t mention AI training.

Microsoft confirmed that this setting only enables features requiring internet access, such as co-authoring documents, and does not involve training large language models (LLMs).

This clarification comes after similar concerns arose earlier this year with Adobe, which faced backlash over misinterpreted terms suggesting user data might be used for AI training.

Both incidents highlight growing public concern over companies scraping personal data without explicit consent for AI model training.