How do I disable the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Host [etc]" feature?

Anonymous
2023-02-09T16:34:50+00:00

We have started getting complaints from our customers over this "feature" as it appears to be quite the resource hog, and of course they are blaming our add-ins.

Killing the ai.exe process appears to have no ill effect on the usability of Office programs such as Word, Outlook or Excel.

So I need to know how we can disable it. I'd prefer to give an instruction to our users on how they can switch off a feature they do not want, they feel they do not need, and that causes their old PCs to start sounding like a Harrier Jet taking off.

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Other

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Anonymous
2024-02-07T21:10:13+00:00

This seems to work. There are all sorts of solutions put out there that involve things like editing the Registry. Here's a much easier fix that seems to have worked for me (and this is from The Geek Page https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-disable-the-artificial-intelligence-ai-host-feature/).

First, the obvious: delete the AI executables from the OFFICE folder:
ai.exe

ai.exe
aitrx.dll

Second - this is incredibly easy. Deleting the executables does not completely work because Office automatically updates itself with new copies of those files.

Since the AI Host runs when you use an Office app:
Disable the Office app updates.

To do this, open any Office application, like Word.

 Click the “File” menu and then the “Account” menu item - this may be under the "More..." menu item, in which case click "More..." and then click "Account"

 There, click on “Update Options”, which brings up a popup menu - on the popup menu, set that to “Disable Updates” to disable Office updates for all Office apps

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-02-10T11:49:36+00:00

    Hoping your ideas will be reviewed one day, If you have submitted this idea, try sharing the link with me and I will submit it for you and get more internal staff to vote for you.

    We value your feedback, click 'yes' or 'no' to help us improve your support experience.

    Have a great day.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-07T22:39:08+00:00

    M$ strikes again. If you're not used to it by now I'm not sure what to tell you. M$ does what they want on your PC and no regulating body has any plans to make them stop. The world is run by corporations.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-23T23:05:16+00:00

    I hope you get the response from them you are looking for. Somehow, I think the only way to get their attention is some form of legal action. This adding of a feature that is called "artificial intelligence", be it truly a form of AI or just an exaggeration... to me is a very invasive move and entirely undesired in my realm. Its very name suggests something controlling, monitoring... I believe maybe a class-action lawsuit might be in order here IF they do not remove it or make it optional on the approval of each user or admin for users...

    I do not want or require ANYONES AI running on my computers... PERIOD. I have no use for it - I do not see it as any BENEFIT... its more **** from the underthinkers at M.S. ... I do not want any independent process which I have no idea of what its doing entirely - on my computers.

    I really wish there was a way to just move to another platform easily... I deal with a number of businesses... thats where a change would be the most difficult.

    So... if the people at M.S. who apparently have run out of any good ideas will listen to you and others making this request... then GREAT I really appreciate it. But these people I feel have become too big in their own minds... and need to be taken down a few notches...

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T08:13:48+00:00

    Thank you @alpenit, but please also remove aitrx.dll (don't know for sure about mlg.dll, but that doesn't seem to bother) and the ones in X86 (see: AI "Explanation")

    # Kill AI
    
    taskkill /IM ai.exe /F 
    
    # Remove AI
    
    cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"
    
    Del ai.exe
    
    Del ai.dll
    
    Del aimgr.exe
    
    Del aitrx.dll
    
    cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"
    
    Del ai.exe
    
    Del ai.dll
    
    Del aimgr.exe
    
    Del aitrx.dll
    

    This is just an invasion of our rights, even when you disable everything in 'Privacy Settings' it's still sending the AI data to Microsoft.

    I just do NOT allow them to use my data for their AI...

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