As they compete to offer customers a new generation of the technology, Google and competitor Microsoft Corp. introduced new artificial intelligence-powered search and map features. This announcement caps a flurry of competing announcements by the search giant and rival.
The back-to-back announcements from two of the tech industry’s most fierce rivals are the most recent evidence of how businesses are rushing to release tools that use a type of artificial intelligence that can generate content, from haikus to computer code, in order to ride a wave of rekindled interest in AI among businesses and consumers.
In the midst of the Google announcements, Microsoft revealed plans on Tuesday to incorporate the generative AI technology underpinning ChatGPT into its Bing search engine. It demonstrated how it can use information such as news items, train timetables, and product prices to provide replies and suggestions in response to natural-language questions.
“Google has a lot more to lose than gain from rushing Gen-AI out the door,” wrote Colin Sebastian, a senior research analyst at Baird Equity Research. “Microsoft is taking a big leap, integrating OpenAI technology with Bing, a smart move for a search engine with limited share—how could Bing not gain search share?” said Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella.
