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

Do you know if anyone has tried deleting those files, re-creating them as TXT files, renaming them to the original file names there .. change the owner and restrict all other users from full control .. eg everyone gets execute ... but cannot delete them etc...

Its the same kind of trick used years ago when spotify pissed off so many people with their unified app program that was hated (with good reason). 

The idea is as above ... create a file or copy any other file and rename it to the DLL and two AI exe file names, and that was enough to stop the replacements (oh.. files already exist) and without ownership or right permissions... files couldn't be deleted ... and so those old versions stayed for quite some time..

Just a thought ... if you try it and find it works, report back on it.

It's not just Outlook. It's all Microsoft 365 (formerly O365) products. My issue arose when I started working on a 2MB Word document. Yes, it is a large document, but it was generated in 2002 and I have had no issues with it over the past 11 years.

I'm now editing it. My issues started when my computer would simply freeze and quit working. I checked Task Manager, and it would show only 20% of CPU usage max. Then I started checking Task Manager but very very quickly noting CPU usage. It would be 100%. And Word would be shown as not responding. With only that single doc open.

Showed my external IT consultants. They confirmed I was not crazy. Apparently Microsoft knows people would be annoyed at 100% CPU usage, with 80% attributable to AI.EXE. So it quickly "shuts down" (but not really, because it is still there) and CPU usage dives back down to 20%. So you think nothing is wrong.

But something is very, very wrong. This is craziness.

Keitaro, this "AI" gets installed with Office updates and Windows Updates I have found. You remove it and its back next time you update. I have only found it running when I have Outlook open. Would like to hear if others have found it running without Outlook open. Odd that if its only going to run while Outlook is open - what is its purpose... I sense its more of a spy than a benefit. As they did this as a big SNEAK - I too do not want anything to do with it. So... what I do as is in my post above recently is - I created a basic task utilizing a batch file...I tried with PS but it gave me too much trouble... , running with highest privileges and under my account (administrator) that runs every hour and kills AI.exe then deleted all the files involved. I and TMF 03 both posted the contents of the batch file above. TMF 03 found another file I am not seeing in my folders (yet) and modified my .bat file I use in the task. It works great. When it runs you won't know it - just create the file as seen in the posts. The task runs every hour.

This can't stop them from putting it on every time an update occurs... but it will remove it in a short time after.

For me I have been doing this a long time... when people post "Oh contact the developers.... contact MS and ask them to make it an option etc..." I don't waste my time holding my breath... these people became tyrannical a long time ago... I look for answers, try to understand their new features, limit their access to my computers as much as I can and will usually find a way to remove or block their nonsense.

A move like this though - YES - invasion of privacy and done in a covert manner... legally I believe they can be forced to remove it or offer as choice. But you need a class action suit... and a big one. Most people aren't even aware... so you need to inform them... then... maybe....

Trying to post your idea here:

Word · Community (microsoft.com)

However, based on my testing and enquiries, ai.exe may be integrated into other Office applications, which may not be what users want. But it is undeniable that this will become a trend.

Best Regards.