Microsoft Adds AI in Bing and Edge, Google Responds

Microsoft announced updates to the Bing search engine and Edge browser powered by ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The move is expected to spur a new round of innovation across an industry beleaguered by layoffs.

Bing was upgraded to a next-generation OpenAI language model which is more powerful than ChatGPT and customized for search functions. The query box can accept up to 1,000 characters and features a new interactive chat function that also offers links related to search results. It can also compose emails, create itineraries and make travel arrangements. The new Edge browser uses the bot for chatting, writing text, and summarising large documents, along with providing details on the source of search results. “AI will fundamentally change every software category, starting with the largest category of all, search,“ Microsoft CEO and chairman Satya Nadella stated.

A response from Google came less than 24 hours later. "Adding generative AI to search results will create text or visual responses to prompts and enable users to interact with information in entirely new ways," Google said. "As we continue to bring generative AI technologies into our products, the only limit to search will be your imagination," Google SVP Prabhakar Raghavan added. This was Google's second announcement this week. The company unveiled its chatbot service Bard on Monday. However, the launch has faced problems as Google's own online ad showed the service delivering inaccurate answers.