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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Policy Changes
   1. Background on Microsoft's Policy
   2. Additional Policy Changes
3. Restricted Features
   1. Facial API Identify and Verify
   2. Celebrity Recognition
   3. Video Analyzer
   4. Custom Advanced Neural Voice
   5. Recognition of Speaker in Audio
4. Retired Features
   1. Facial API Attributes
   2. Prediction of Gender
   3. Makeup Prediction
5. Service Renaming
   1. Text Analytics
   2. Language Understanding Service
   3. Q&A Maker
6. Conclusion

Changes to Azure AI and Machine Learning Cognitive Services APIs in 2022

Microsoft Azure AI and machine learning cognitive services APIs are undergoing significant changes in 2022. These changes have implications for both individuals learning about cognitive services and for those currently using these services in their projects. This article aims to provide an overview of the upcoming changes and their impact on the Azure platform.

1. Policy Changes

1.1 Background on Microsoft's Policy

Microsoft has long held a policy discouraging the use of its cognitive services for police-related purposes. This policy aims to avoid associations between Microsoft's brand and facial recognition technologies used for surveillance or law enforcement purposes. Users were previously required to agree to this policy during the creation of cognitive services.

1.2 Additional Policy Changes

Microsoft is now introducing further policy changes that will significantly restrict certain facial recognition features within Azure. Users who wish to utilize these features must now register and Seek approval, providing a legitimate business case that aligns with Microsoft's approved list of use cases. A blog post titled "Responsible AI Investments" provides more information on this policy, including a license application process.

These changes go into effect in June 2022, with the retirement of specific features scheduled to occur in 2023.

2. Restricted Features

2.1 Facial API Identify and Verify

The facial API's identify and verify features will now require approval. Users seeking to identify individuals in images or verify a person's face against an expected appearance must go through the approval process.

2.2 Celebrity Recognition

Even the celebrity recognition feature will be subject to approval. Users who relied on this feature to recognize celebrities such as Tom Cruise or George Clooney must now seek approval before implementing it.

2.3 Video Analyzer

Video Analyzer, which deals with facial identification and celebrity recognition in videos, will also become approval-only. The identification and recognition functionalities of this service will be restricted to approved use cases.

2.4 Custom Advanced Neural Voice

Users who previously leveraged the custom neural voice feature to Create personalized voices for specific applications will also face restrictions. This change aims to prevent potential misuse or impersonation through the creation of custom voices.

2.5 Recognition of Speaker in Audio

The recognition of speakers in audio recordings, an important feature for distinguishing between different speakers in an audio clip, will now require approval for all use cases.

3. Retired Features

3.1 Facial API Attributes

Complex and detailed attributes that could be pulled from a person's face, such as the coordinates of facial features or prediction of gender and age, will be retired. Microsoft is phasing out these features due to their limited legitimate use cases.

3.2 Prediction of Gender

The prediction of gender Based on facial features will no longer be available as a feature. This change considers privacy concerns, as facial attributes should not be used to determine or predict gender.

3.3 Makeup Prediction

Similarly, makeup prediction based on facial attributes will be retired. This decision aligns with Microsoft's commitment to responsible AI practices and privacy protection.

4. Service Renaming

4.1 Text Analytics

The previously known "Text Analytics" service will now be referred to as the "Language Service." This renaming aims to provide a clearer understanding of the service's purpose and capabilities.

4.2 Language Understanding Service

The Language Understanding service, formerly known by the acronym "LUIS," will now be referred to as the "Language Understanding Service." This change is intended to reduce confusion among users.

4.3 Q&A Maker

Previously a part of the Bot Services, Q&A Maker is now classified as a language service. This change reflects the fact that the extraction of logical questions and answers from websites and documents is fundamentally a language-related task.

5. Conclusion

These changes to Azure AI and machine learning cognitive services APIs represent Microsoft's ongoing efforts to ensure the responsible and ethical use of these technologies. While some features are becoming restricted or retired, these changes aim to protect privacy, prevent misuse, and encourage the development of AI and machine learning for positive purposes.

Highlights

• Microsoft Azure AI and machine learning cognitive services APIs are undergoing significant policy changes and feature restrictions.
• Users must now seek approval for certain facial recognition features, providing a legitimate business case.
• Specific features, such as facial API attributes and makeup prediction, will be retired due to limited legitimate use cases.
• Service renaming has occurred to provide clearer understanding and reduce confusion among users.
• These changes Align with Microsoft's commitment to responsible AI practices and privacy protection.

FAQ

Q: What are the major policy changes in Azure's AI and machine learning cognitive services? A: Azure is introducing stricter policies for the use of certain facial recognition features, requiring users to seek approval and have a legitimate business case.

Q: Which features will be restricted under these new policies? A: Features such as facial API identify and verify, celebrity recognition, video analyzer, custom advanced neural voice, and recognition of speakers in audio will require approval for usage.

Q: What features will be retired in the upcoming changes? A: Facial API attributes, prediction of gender, and makeup prediction features will be retired due to limited legitimate use cases.

Q: Are there any service renames in Azure's cognitive services? A: Yes, service renaming has occurred for Text Analytics (now called Language Service), Language Understanding Service (formerly known as LUIS), and Q&A Maker (now part of the Language Service).

Q: What is the purpose of these changes? A: These changes aim to protect privacy, prevent misuse of facial recognition technologies, and ensure responsible and ethical use of AI and machine learning cognitive services.