Microsoft is revamping its classic Paint app by adding AI capabilities to enhance creativity. Microsoft rolls out AI to old tools like Paint and Notepad, adding features to modernize these legacy apps. The tech giant has rolled out two major features, i.e. Generative Fill and Generative Erase to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. These new tools aim to simplify the editing process for users.
Generative Fill allows users to modify or expand images by typing a descriptive text prompt. For instance, users can ask the AI to insert a castle into an image, and the tool will generate content seamlessly blending with the original style. Currently, this feature is available on devices powered by Snapdragon Copilot+ processors.
Meanwhile, Generative Erase enables users to remove unwanted elements from an image. By selecting the object to be erased, the AI fills in the surrounding area to make it appear as if the object was never there. This feature is available to all Windows 11 users, enhancing the existing Cocreator and Image Creator functionalities.
AI-Powered Rewrite Feature for Notepad
In a major update, Microsoft has also introduced an AI-powered “Rewrite” feature for Notepad. This tool allows users to rephrase text, adjust tone, or change content length with AI support. Users can highlight text, right-click, and select the Rewrite option to access multiple variations for the highlighted section. The feature is initially available to Windows Insiders in select regions, including the United States, France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany.
According to Microsoft, the Rewrite tool significantly enhances the usability of Notepad, which has remained mostly unchanged since its release in 1983. The new feature aims to help users refine their content with ease. Notepad also boasts improved launch performance, with some users experiencing up to a 55% faster startup.
Gradual AI Integration Across Microsoft Software
To improve text editing, Microsoft rolls out AI to old tools. These updates reflect Microsoft’s ongoing effort to integrate AI into its ecosystem, including its operating systems, browsers, and Office applications. The new features in Paint and Notepad are part of a broader AI strategy to modernize classic tools and improve user productivity.
The company began rolling out AI-powered tools, like Cocreator powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E, to Windows Insiders earlier in September 2023. Microsoft has also expanded the capabilities of Notepad, adding features like tabs, text zoom, autosaving, and spell check in recent updates.
The new AI enhancements for Paint and Notepad are currently available to Windows Insiders in preview. Users interested in testing these features need to be part of the Windows Insider program or upgrade to the latest Windows 11 build. Microsoft plans to expand availability to more regions and users in the coming months.
Concerns Over AI Dependency and Privacy
Microsoft rolls out AI to old tools like Paint, allowing users to edit images with text prompts easily. An issue that comes with AI integration is the potential increase in user dependency on automated tools. The Rewrite feature, for instance, may reduce the need for users to refine their own writing skills, making them overly reliant on AI-generated content. Over time, this could impact the creativity and originality that come from human effort.
Moreover, Microsoft’s requirement for users to sign in with a Microsoft account to use the AI features also raises privacy concerns. As tech companies increasingly push for account-based usage, there is a risk of user data being collected, stored, and potentially used for targeted advertising or other purposes. Given the ongoing debates around data privacy, users might hesitate to use these new AI tools.
Thus, while Microsoft’s efforts to modernize Paint and Notepad are commendable, the long-term value of these updates remains uncertain. The enhancements may add some convenience but could also lead to concerns around user dependency and data privacy, making it a double-edged sword.
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