While there are a lot of search engines out there, my guess is you probably use Google. (Most people do.) Even if you have a PC, you likely ignore Microsoft’s pleas to use Bing in favour of the search engine you’ve used for years. However, Bing is about to get a huge update that might finally convince Google users to make the switch: And to try out Bing’s upcoming ChatGPT integration in your search engine, you can sign up for the waitlist today.
What is ChatGPT?
By now, you’re probably aware of ChatGPT. The AI chatbot took the internet by storm toward the end of 2022, smashing active user records left and right. Part of that appeal came from OpenAI’s decision to make the ChatGPT beta free to use, while the rest stemmed from the tool’s ability to do just about anything you asked of it.
Ask ChatGPT a simple question, and it’ll answer in a conversational tone. Ask it to write you a story, poem, or joke, and it’ll do that, too. You can even ask it to write you programming code, then rework that code when you give it a critique. It’s impressive, and terrifying — and the perfect search companion.
How Microsoft integrated ChatGPT into Bing
Of course, everyone and their mother now wants in on AI. As it happens, though, Microsoft is a huge investor in OpenAI, and has been working on integrating the AI into its search engine, Bing. Soon, you’ll be able to ask Bing the same questions you do ChatGPT, but with access to the knowledge and data of the entire internet.
For example, say you want to plan a vacation for you and your partner’s anniversary. You could ask the new Bing: “We are planning a trip in September for our anniversary. We will be flying into London. Where are some great destinations within three hours of the city? What are some things we have to do while in London?”
We’re not used to asking search engines these types of complicated queries, but it’s how things are about to be going forward. When your results return, you’ll see the usual list of relevant articles appear, but, more importantly, you’ll see your AI friend typing out a response on the right. As the bot answers, you’ll see sources attached to those answers, so you can visit each site to learn more.
Even better, you can refine the search results with Bing’s chatbot feature: Just talk back to the bot to explain what you want to see different, and you’ll receive new results based on that feedback. You can also use this chat feature to keep the “conversation” going. If you’re trying to learn about something new, like a famous writer, Bing will give you an initial breakdown. You can then ask for more information, or ask more specific questions, such as which of their works are the most celebrated, or which are the most controversial. Like ChatGPT, the new Bing might just send you down a rabbit hole for whatever topic you’re interested in (and I can’t wait).
In the future, you will also be able to ask Bing to create things for you just like ChatGPT, but according to Windows Latest, that appears to be limited for now. When they asked Bing to write them a cover letter, the AI refused, saying it would be “unethical and dishonest.” Oh well, ChatGPT proper doesn’t mind being unethical and dishonest, I suppose, so rely on the AI bot itself for that type of work.
Microsoft is also working on bringing these AI features to Bing on iOS and Android, but, for now, it’s only on desktop.
How to sign up for the new Bing
Microsoft has opened up the new Bing to select testers, so it won’t be available to most users yet. However, you can sign yourself up for the waitlist to try it out early. To start, go to this link, then click “Join the waitlist.” Sign into your Microsoft account, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete sign up. Once Microsoft grants you access, you’ll receive an email.
Until then, you can see what Bing’s new AI-integrated search will be like. Go back to this same link, then scroll through the “Ask anything” section. Microsoft has 12 search samples for you to experience, such as if you were trying to create a three-course menu or plan a new workout regimen.
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