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It's no secret that Nvidia loves its AI, and fresh off of launching RTX Spark – the new chipset for Agentic laptops – the Nvidia app now has a toggle that'll let AI agents control it. The problem is that it's turned on by default.
Nvidia added the option in Nvidia App 11.0.9.565 on October 13. In that update's patch notes, it says, "Nvidia App includes a local MCP server (Model Context Protocol) that lets a compatible AI agent control the Nvidia App using natural-language requests. This means your AI assistant like Hermes, OpenClaw or Perplexity can see your installed games and apply optimal settings, or enable Shadowplay to record gameplay, all through simple conversation."
It's not terribly surprising that Nvidia has added this option to the Nvidia app; after all, it did just debut its RTX Spark platform, which is built entirely around AI agents, so it makes sense that the Nvidia App would let users hook those agents in. But the setting isn't exclusive to RTX Spark systems, and shows up for anyone who installs the latest version of the app.
And, of course, some people are upset and worried about the security implications of letting an AI agent control their graphics cards.
Silent Hill: Ascension Cinematic Director Agustin Cordes tweeted about the update, saying, "PSA: Can confirm that the Nvidia app is automatically updating and has *enabled by default* a setting which allows AI agents to control the app with very permissive rights. Besides the obnoxious privacy invasion and lame AI features, it's a high security risk you may not want."
Meanwhile, a swath of fans quoted his post, like user TheAcidBurns3, who says, "Please pay attention to this. You do NOT want your graphics card being accessed like this!"
User DATGUYCOOP, who appears to be a cybersecurity professional, urged most laypeople to turn the feature off, saying, "Just gonna say turn this feature off. Trust from the cyber security man. If you work with AI agents, its a good way to add filtering and protections and secondary checks, but to the common folk, it adds a threat vector that is better off closed. Now, there [are] no reported exploits as of yet, but it's new and adds possible connector that could mayhaps do something later, so just turn it off."
The problem really seems to be that the Nvidia App update turns the setting on by default, which is almost a surefire way to get people to hate any given feature in a tech product. Nvidia isn't new to letting AI systems and agents mess with your graphics card; after all, the company revealed Project G-Assist at Computex 2024, which was essentially an LLM that helped you manage GPU settings like clock speeds, fan curves, and more.
I've reached out to Nvidia about the security implications of this new Nvidia App update, and will update this article if a response is given. But regardless of what Team Green says, it's unlikely that this option is going anywhere any time soon. So, if you don't want your GPU driver to have a door open to AI agents, either install your graphics driver manually, or turn off the setting by going into the Nvidia App, hit Settings, then scrolling down to 'AI Agents and App Connections' and disabling 'Allow Agents to control Nvidia App.'
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