Amidst the recent controversy around privacy of user data, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has promised that the company will never wrongfully use its users’ data.
He reiterated that the company is determined to ensure the safety of consumers' data and is building secure solutions towards preserving data privacy. It is the job of the tech industry to build customers' trust in technology, he said while opening this year’s Build 2018 developer event on Monday, 7 May.
Post the Facebook data scandal, tech giants are occupied with rethinking their product strategy to ensure privacy and security for users. Nadella believes that customers must be in control of their data and it has to be collective responsibility of the industry to keep the data safe.
All this talk of user data privacy has been sparked by the upcoming roll out of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by the European Union (EU) later this month. Various data-laden platforms like WhatsApp, AirBnB and dating app Tinder claimed to have reworked their model to ensure greater privacy.
Microsoft claims to heavily rely on its artificial intelligence (AI) technology to prevent user data mishaps.
In addition to that, the keynote also showcased how Microsoft’s cloud capability will be utilised by DJI for its drones. DJI will create a new software development kit (SDK) for Windows 10 PCs. This partnership is hopeful of servicing different sectors like agriculture, public safety and more via drones. All of this will be handled by Microsoft's Azure cloud ecosystem.
The company also announced "Speech Devices SDK" that delivers better audio processing from multi-channel sources. With this, developers can build a variety of voice-enabled scenarios like drive-through ordering systems, in-car or in-home assistants, smart speakers, and other digital assistants.
Microsoft is also investing heavily into AI technology to help people with disabilities. Nadella talked up the ‘AI for Accessibility’ a new $25 million, five-year programme for developers globally, including in India.
Only one in 10 people with disabilities globally has access to assistive technologies and products.
The programme will put AI tools in the hands of developers to accelerate the development of accessible and intelligent AI solutions for people with disabilities. the programme will provide seed grants of technology to developers, universities, non-governmental organisations and inventors.
In India, students are creating AI and machine learning (ML)-based apps in this segment, with help from Microsoft.
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