Microsoft recently announced that it is moving its AI-powered Bing and Edge offerings into an Open Preview stage, eliminating the waitlist and making the GPT-4 powered tools available to all.

The systems are aimed at making search, one of the largest software categories in the world, more “current, cited, and conversational.” Just three months after AI integration to Bing, the search engine has grown to surpass 100 million active daily users and installs of the mobile app are up four times since its launch.

Bing’s latest updates combine powerful large language models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 with Microsoft’s massive search index to provide users with better search results, answers to their questions, and the ability to create and compose.

It features a new level of ease of use by being able to chat in natural language, making it fundamentally changing the way people find information. To date, customers have participated in over a half-billion chats, using AI features to get summarized answers to help them with everything from finding the best place to travel for someone with allergies to organizing the last ten years of worldwide volcanic activity into a table.

The new Bing is moving from Limited Preview to Open Preview and eliminating the waitlist for trial. This means that it will be easier than ever for everyone to try the new Bing and Edge by simply signing into Bing with their Microsoft account.

With the move to Open Preview, interested users simply need to create a Microsoft account and sign in to Bing. Visual answers are also a key focus for the updated softwares, including charts, graphs, and updated formatting of answers, helping users find the information more easily.

Additionally, Bing Image Creator is now available in all languages in Bing, meaning users can create images in their native language.

Microsoft noted that one of the most requested features has been the ability to maintain access to chat history as well as being able to share and export it — something it says is “starting shortly.” Users will also soon be able to export and share functionalities into chat, making it easier to share conversations with others throughout social media or continue working on a newly discovered idea.

Another major goal Microsoft is working towards is the functionality to integrate third-party plug-ins into the Bing chat experience, creating a platform for developers. This means that when researching the latest restaurant for dinner in Bing chat, it will leverage existing apps like OpenTable to help users find and book a reservation.

Microsoft believes that these types of skills are a “game-changer” in the reinvention of search and advancement of opportunities for developers — as it moves from “a product to a platform.”

Focus on growth and advancement aside, the technology giant is aware of the amount of growing regulatory pressures and concerns from industry leaders, emphasizing that it is developing responsible AI and is continuing to implement safeguards to defend against harmful content.

In related news, The White House releases a blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.