Microsoft files patent to train AI using idle gaming PCs
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Microsoft has filed a patent for a plan to use the GPU compute of idle gaming PCs for distributed AI training, and to award users points based on the amount of work completed, with points redeemable for access to AI models, free software, or cash. According to reports, users can manually start and stop training tasks, can continue playing games while training runs, and can set usage limits to avoid excessive consumption of electricity and hardware. At present, only the patent application has been made public; whether or when it will be implemented has not been stated.
AI overview based on source reports · Updated 13 min ago
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- Hacker News AIMicrosoft Patent Tips Using Idle Gaming PCs to Train AI in Exchange for Rewards
Microsoft Technology Licensing filed a 2025 patent, published last week as US-20260349820-A1 and titled "Opportunistic Micro-training on Edge Devices Using Spare GPU Utilization," describing an opt-in system that uses idle GPU cycles on gaming PCs for AI training, similar to Folding@Home. The system would monitor memory, CPU, GPU, temperature and power draw to find cool idle periods, track completed work, and issue credits redeemable for use of the resulting AI model, free software or cash, with manual start/stop and usage limits.
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