Microsoft to limit artificial intelligence abusers

Microsoft has updated its user agreement for online services, including a new section in which the company gives itself the right to restrict access to various AI features in response to “excessive” use.

The company has no guidance on how frequent use of Copilot, Bing Chat, and other upcoming AI features is reasonable. The vague wording means the company could in principle change its mind so that requesting something from Copilot once a minute is initially excessive, but later once an hour is enough to restrict access.

Microsoft is investing heavily in AI and has already released its chatbot for Bing, Windows Copilot which combines a chatbot with the ability to control computer settings and retrieve data from different programs to automate various tasks, generate images in the updated MS Paint and Microsoft 365 Copilot which provides… Copilot functionality for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook – and more AI functionality is on the way.

Since the company does not yet charge a fee per request, it is perhaps not surprising that it wants to be able to take measures that do not violate its user agreement to prevent individual users from slowing down services for everyone.