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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
    2023-02-10T11:05:14+00:00

    Obviously this is not possible in the current version, so if you need this option, you can only give feedback and expect the developers to add this feature.

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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-12T06:22:25+00:00

    Not only Outlook, I've seen it with Word as well...

    If you have a 64-Bit Windows with 32-Bit Office you will need to delete the AI in both X64 and X86.

    Also make sure the script is evelated.

    Here is my complete (powershell) script and scheduler Task I run at startup with evelated privileges, if I run it without, it will ask for them.

    # Self-elevate the script if required
if (-Not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] 'Administrator')) {
    if ([int](Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object -ExpandProperty BuildNumber) -ge 6000) {
    $CommandLine = "-File `"" + $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path + "`" " + $MyInvocation.UnboundArguments
    Start-Process -FilePath PowerShell.exe -Verb Runas -ArgumentList $CommandLine
    Exit
    }
}

# Kill AI
taskkill /IM ai.exe /F 

# Remove AI
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX64\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"
Del ai.exe
Del ai.dll
Del aimgr.exe
Del aitrx.dll

cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16"
Del ai.exe
Del ai.dll
Del aimgr.exe
Del aitrx.dll

    Save it as "Kill_AI.ps1" in C:\Scripts

    Then create a Task in Task Scheduler:

    "Run whether user is logged in or not"

    "Run with highest privileges"

    In "Actions": "Start a program"

    Program/script: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

    Add Arguments: "C:\Scripts\Kill_AI.ps1"

    Start in: "C:\Scripts"

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-10T11:37:06+00:00

    Thanks Chandy, yes you're right - it also starts an instance when I launch Outlook or Excel. It's just a feature that some people may not want, especially if their equipment struggles to support it. I will go to the link you provided and suggest it there.

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