AI Taking the Wheel: Brace for Impact in Your Online World

or the past 50 years since the debut of Star Trek, much of the futuristic technology depicted in the show has made its way into our current reality. For example, communicator devices inspired flip phones and tricorders have transformed into smartphones. Technology has also advanced to the point where people can now engage in video chats with others across the globe, as well as help individuals with disabilities to regain their hearing and vision.

Recently, Microsoft and OpenAI launched a competition to fulfill another sci-fi dream: a conversational computer that can interact with humans as if it were a person, although it cannot truly think on its own.

Microsoft refers to it as an “AI-powered co-pilot.” By integrating Microsoft’s Bing search engine with OpenAI’s ChatGPT programming, the companies claim that soon, users will be able to ask for assistance in planning a dinner party, drafting an apology email for being late, or comparing financial reports from various firms. The technology will also be incorporated into Microsoft’s Edge browser and Office productivity applications. CEO Satya Nadella was deeply impressed by the capabilities of AI after visiting India, where a programmer utilized intelligent search and speech recognition software to link websites to government subsidies and help a rural farmer complete a complex form.

Nadella stated that “this technology is going to transform almost every software category.” Microsoft’s move marks a significant change in the technology world, similar to the shift from using keyboards and mice to touchscreens. It could also challenge Google’s dominance in online searching.

These advancements will change the way we interact with our devices, making them more user-friendly. Instead of the traditional search prompts, we may soon be able to say, “Make a five-day itinerary for my family and me to visit Mexico City.”

While it remains unclear if Microsoft’s technology is a futuristic co-pilot or simply a device with impressive tricks, Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research stated that it’s “pretty cool.” Microsoft’s goal is not only to create AI software that can hold a conversation, but also to combine information organized by Bing with programs that can generate new responses to user requests. Bing will not only provide search results, but will also be able to answer questions and even generate content to help spark creativity.

However, with the new AI technology comes ethical concerns. For years, fiction writers and filmmakers have warned of the potential dangers of AI running rampant, leading to the potential downfall of humanity. Despite these worries, Microsoft has implemented safeguards to ensure the credibility and authority of online documents and has built rails around potential risks to reputation.

Despite these concerns, coders are already utilizing advanced AI technology to build apps on Microsoft-owned GitHub and social media managers are relying on AI to determine the best times to post. The new Bing is a triumph for Microsoft as they have released a major web product ahead of Google, according to Patrick Moorhead, analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy.