As someone who was once a fan of Microsoft and cares deeply for the PC industry, I'm thrilled about what's coming next in Windows 12. However, the thrill is a blend of excitement for new features that Microsoft will introduce and the fear of Windows 12 being excessively AI-centric.

The AI-fication of operating systems isn't a recent phenomenon, though. It all started way back in the 1970s. But the current wave of AI advancement and its potential impact on Windows makes me wonder whether Windows 12 will be like that delicious meal with one dominant flavor. And if that turns out to be the case, Windows 12 will fail, and here is why I think it will.

Excessive use of AI in Windows 12 will make it resource-intensive

We can all agree that PCs with powerful specs aren't everybody's need. They certainly aren't required for what I do. But even if that changes in the future, my fascination with how well an OS runs on low-end hardware will never end. There is no denying that Windows is not the best option for low-end hardware, but it manages to give users a bit of everything even when the budget is low. Excessive use of AI in Windows 12 may snatch away that privilege.

How resource-intensive Windows 12 will be will depend on how Microsoft processes AI. Locally processed AI systems will make the OS a lot more resource-intensive, requiring users to have PCs with comparatively powerful specifications to be able to take full advantage of all the AI capabilities. This could contribute to causing the already tarnished reputation of Windows not being able to run low-end hardware to get further marred.

Do you remember when Apple made several Monterey features exclusive to M-series Macs, leaving tons of Intel Macs deprived of those capabilities? We might see a repeat of that with AI-fied Windows 12, and a lot of users, including me, would hate to see Microsoft denying the benefits of AI because of choosing not to buy best-quality PCs with powerful specs.

People who've recently bought PCs with powerful specs might not be spared, either. My apprehension is that users who recently bought PCs with high-end specs might also be denied many of the Windows 12 AI features.

AI can make Windows 12 PCs depend more on internet connectivity

Even though there will be dedicated silicon in Intel's Meteor Lake and Snapdragon X Elite, it's doubtful that all the AI features in Windows 12 will be locally processed. Given the scalability and cost-efficiency of the cloud-based processing of AI, Microsoft might not completely get rid of this approach in Windows 12.

Windows Copilot is an example of how the cloud-based processing of AI works. And it requires an internet connection to work. And the more we're fed features with cloud-based AI processing, the more dependent we'll become on the internet connectivity. I can explain why this can have a negative impact on the overall user experience of Windows 12.

I use Bing Chat, which powers Windows Copilot, every day and am so used to it now that I can't think of my computing life without it. Any disruptions in Microsoft's network or internet connection I'm using leading to Bing Chat not working makes me feel like my wings are clipped. I'd hate to see another functional-today-finicky-tomorrow feature in Windows 12, especially when I get used to it so much that I can't get back to doing things the old way.

AI-fied Windows 12 may cross the line with excessive ads

When I'm paying to buy an operating system, I deserve to be free from the annoyance of in-system advertisements. But it's not an ideal world, and we do see ads in Windows 11's Action Center, taskbar, default apps, and more. With a more sophisticated AI system in Windows 12, I'm skeptical about whether Microsoft will let go of this golden opportunity to push more ads on users. And if that happens, you know about the trade-off — our privacy will be at risk more than ever before.

Assuming Microsoft will push more ads on users through Windows 12, we should get the option to turn all of them off. And no, I'm not talking about toggles to disable ads in the Settings app only. Microsoft should include a consent page during the Windows 12 setup process asking users whether they want to be shown ads within the OS. I cannot compromise anything less than transparency and the option to choose the way I want things to be on my PC, especially when I'm paying for it.

AI-driven Windows 12 needs a balancing act to become a success

I genuinely want Windows 12 to be the product worth spending money on — not a year after its official launch but right from Day One. For that to happen, Microsoft will need to get many things right in Windows 12, including how it strikes the essential balance between simplifying user experience with AI systems and providing users with choices for customization, both at software and hardware levels.

I'll be the first person to jump ship and consider switching to Chromebooks if Microsoft does a sloppy job infusing AI into Windows 12 and disrespects my choices.