Owen Yin and a few other Bing users briefly happened upon a new version of the search engine powered by ChatGPT
Credit: Owen Yin (@Owen_Yin)
Remember Bing, Microsoft’s (barely used) search engine? It looks like it may be getting a much-needed makeover. The Verge reports(Opens in a new window) that earlier this week, a “new Bing” interface using AI chatbot ChatGPT appeared and then swiftly vanished. It was previously reported(Opens in a new window) that Microsoft was interested in capitalizing on the tool’s massive popularity and impressive intelligence, and it’s possible that what users saw is an early version of that experience that went live by mistake.
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One of those users, Owen Yin, posted about his brief experience(Opens in a new window) with the “new Bing” on Medium. He noted that the engine’s search bar was replaced by a large text box inviting you to “ask it anything” in 1000 characters or less, but that the traditional search bar option was also still available. You could also conduct full conversations with the AI as a chatbot.
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ChatGPT’s expansive abilities make it possible for the “new Bing” to get creative, too. Yin notes that Bing will be able to make meal plans or navigate budget restrictions in a travel itinerary. It can also write a poem or lyrics. Unlike the current Chat-GPT, which collected data up to 2021, the Bing version will be able to access current information.
Just make sure to always check its work once it’s live. A disclaimer reads, “Bing is powered by AI, so surprises and mistakes are possible. Make sure to check the facts, and share feedback so we can learn and improve.”
It’s rumored that Microsoft plans to officially unveil the new and improved Bing in the coming weeks. Microsoft did not immediately respond to Mashable’s request for comment.
Elizabeth is a culture reporter at Mashable covering digital culture, fandom communities, and how the internet makes us feel. Before joining Mashable, she spent six years in tech, doing everything from running a wifi hardware beta program to analyzing YouTube content trends like K-pop, ASMR, gaming, and beauty. You can find more of her work for outlets like The Guardian, Teen Vogue, and MTV News right here(Opens in a new window).
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