Microsoft is committed to integrating as many AI features as possible into its web browser. Microsoft Edge’s built-in tool for reading PDF documents has also received a new batch of AI improvements. The AI feature added to Copilot scans the document, highlighting keywords and phrases, and then provides the user with additional information. Processing is likely to take place on Microsoft servers, which may compromise confidentiality.
Image source: Microsoft
The new tool is available by clicking the button that appears next to the existing Ask Copilot button in the PDF reader interface. It starts scanning the entire PDF document to generate relevant keywords and phrases. The user can then select any of them to open the Copilot sidebar in the browser and get more context or information related to that keyword.
The contents of the PDF file are likely processed and analyzed by Microsoft servers, which could potentially leak sensitive information. It is likely that document processing will also involve extensive data collection to improve the AI model and understand the user experience. You may want to think twice before using the new feature to process documents with sensitive information, such as tax forms or financial contracts.
It is very likely that in the near future Microsoft will expand the scope of the new AI function, adding Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations to the list of processed files.
This feature is just one of several AI-powered capabilities that have been added to Edge. Previously, the browser received a smart search feature that detects related matches and words, making it easier to find information on a page. An AI-powered “topic generator” converts text prompts into visual designs. AI has even learned to automatically assign names to groups of tabs for efficient browsing.
Microsoft is currently working on improving Edge’s AI ability to suggest sites for users to browse, according to the Canary preview build. The exact nature and functionality of these innovations is not yet known, but given Microsoft’s desire to massively implement AI wherever possible, they will appear sooner or later.