Data Backup Digest

Microsoft’s Bing search engine was originally released in 2009. Meant as a competitor to Google, Bing combines the company’s past search engines – including MSN Search, Windows Live Search, and Live Search – to provide its users with the ability to search the internet for websites, images, videos, and geographic maps. Although Bing has struggled to compete with Google ever since its inception, Microsoft’s latest update might finally make Bing a real contender in the search engine space.

Enter OpenAI

The development team with Microsoft recently entered into a partnership with OpenAI, and their first collaboration – an AI-infused version of the Bing search engine – has already made its way into the public light.

Suddenly, Bing is making a big impression with current users and amongst their critics. More than a million new users have signed up for the AI-infused Bing since its release just a short time ago, and many more are expected to sign up in the coming days, weeks, and months.

But does it hold up to the hype? At least for now, the answer is a resounding yes.

Mimicking Current AI Technology

As innovative as it is, Bing’s new AI infusion isn’t exactly new. It’s directly modeled after the ChatGPT platform and, although it doesn’t mimic the functionality exactly, ChatGPT was clearly a huge inspiration for the new update.

Google’s AI functionality was also a huge inspiration to the AI-powered version of Bing. Known as Bard, Google’s chatbot has been in the development pipeline for quite some time now. Although it has yet to make its official debut as of the time of this writing, it’s expected to make its presence known sooner rather than later.

While the new AI-infused Bing wasn’t released after ChatGPT, the fact that is came before Google’s Bard is a testament to Microsoft’s dedication to AI. Although we haven’t heard of any specific plans for the future, the development team with Microsoft is undoubtedly working on new innovations and solutions that prominently feature AI.

Searching the Internet Through AI Chat

Much like ChatGPT, Microsoft’s AI-infused Bing mimics the functionality of a modern chatbot. Users can still search and browse Bing normally, just like before. But, thanks to the new AI-driven platform, users can also ask a question. Some early tests are very promising.

While ChatGPT uses training data from 2021, the AI-driven Bing is able to index and incorporate new information – including breaking news – that has surfaced within the past few days. Since it’s always learning and incorporating new information, Bing is – at least in theory – much more accurate and consistent than ChatGPT.

Microsoft’s Edge web browser also received some updates, including a brand new aesthetic and some AI functionality of its own. By providing some basic information, users can now use the Edge browser to write and create online content like articles, blogs, and social media posts. Although this feature is far from perfect, it’s only expected improve as time goes on.

A recent statement by Microsoft reads, in part: “The chat experience empowers you to refine your search until you get the complete answer you are looking for by asking for more details, clarity, and ideas — with links available so you can immediately act on your decisions.”