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
    2023-03-08T23:57:28+00:00

    I have gotten rid of AI. Do not know if it will come back with an update.... I guess we will see, So - this sneaky nonsense from M.S. is related to the addition of Bing as your one and only search choice when you click on "Search" in the task bar (WIndows 11). I have removed the AI program executables and disabled Bing effectively. You can kill AI with task manager then got to this location and deleted "Ai.Exe" and another AI related executable right there with it "AIxxx.exe" - forgot the name.

    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\ai.exe

    To disable Bing and get your old Search options back:

    How to Disable Bing in the Windows 11 Start Menu (howtogeek.com)

    So far its only been a few days.... have rebooted and AI and Bing have not returned.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-08T21:41:15+00:00

    Windows just crashed on me as I attempted to convert a one-page (!) doc to PDF. When I pulled up Task Manager, it was at 100% CPU, 90% of which were five (!) instances of AI.EXE. The remaining open items were less than 15%, but AI.EXE killed Windows.

    This is not funny in the least. If Microsoft does not take care of this issue, someone needs to start a class action lawsuit against them. They've had plenty of time to fix.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-08T21:13:59+00:00

    I have this problem, and my computer can hardly run PowerPoint files any more without stalling, and taking large hunks out of my day that I cannot afford to spare. (This computer is NOT particularly dated, though it is a Win10 Enterprise x64 deployment, and we have been advised not to update to Win 11 yet at this time). It seems to be particularly grumbly when the PowerPoint has inkings added via the SmartInk add-in from the Smart Podium folks.

    ARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!

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  4. 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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