Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 Recall AI at a recent event, which was said to be exclusive to PCs with NPU chips. However, a new experiment suggests that some recovery functions can be run on existing Intel PCs once x64 AI models become available.
The hardware requirements for Windows 11 recovery include a Copilot+ PC with 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and an NPU chip with more than 40 TOPs. While these AI features are not limited to Snapdragon PCs, they officially require a powerful NPU chip, which is currently absent in AMD and Intel PCs. Microsoft has compiled the AI models only for ARM chips, leaving out Intel and AMD CPUs. The NPU chip plays a crucial role in running certain tasks, but the core functions of Recall AI can still be executed without it.
In a comparison test of NPU chips, it was found that Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake CPUs will provide up to 40 TOPs, potentially changing the landscape. AMD is also making efforts to catch up with Qualcomm by introducing Sound Wave ARM APU. However, AI models are not yet available on x64 platforms.
A developer named Albacore managed to enable Recall AI on an old ARM PC with a Snapdragon 7c+ chip, proving that the core technology behind Recall AI can work successfully without a dedicated NPU chip. Even though the NPU chip is not necessary for all tasks, it may be required for specific operations.
Recall AI is set to be included in Windows 11 24H2 Build 26100.712, hidden behind the Copilot+ PC requirements. However, users may encounter limitations due to x64 components of the AI models not being available yet. Microsoft’s integration of Recall AI prioritizes user privacy and security by not sending data to the cloud and selecting the appropriate code path based on hardware specifications.
Furthermore, Albacore noted progress in enabling Recall on current Arm64 hardware without needing advanced NPU chips like Snapdragon X Elite. The possibility of Recall working on x64 Intel or AMD systems exists, but it will likely depend on the release of x64 AI models. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC line, focused on local AI and extended battery life, is a response to Apple’s MacBook, targeting a specific audience.
In conclusion, unlocking Recall AI for non-NPU PCs could be a game-changer for Microsoft and its OEM partners in driving sales of Windows PCs. As technology continues to evolve, the role of NPU chips and AI models in PC operations will be crucial aspects to monitor in the coming years.
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https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/05/26/dev-shows-off-windows-11-recall-ai-on-existing-pc-without-npu-but-x86-ai-models-are-missing/