Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Image Creator for Bing Search Engine
Microsoft has announced the launch of a new AI-powered feature, called the Bing Image Creator, which will be integrated into its Bing search engine. This innovative tool will utilize an advanced version of OpenAI’s DALL-E model to enable Bing users to generate images based on their written descriptions. The Image Creator will be fully integrated into the Bing chat experience for those in the preview, with initial availability in Creative mode.
By providing a description of the image, along with additional context such as location or activity, and selecting an art style, the Image Creator will generate a customized image to match the user’s imagination. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Head of Consumer Marketing, explained this feature in detail.
In addition to its integration with Bing, Microsoft is extending the availability of its Bing Image Creator to the Edge browser. A new icon will appear in the Edge sidebar, providing users with a text entry prompt to create images. While Microsoft is currently restricting the use of this feature to the creative mode of Bing, the company has plans to enhance its functionality for use in multi-turn chats. Yusuf Mehdi clarified that the Image Creator will be initially limited to the creative mode in Bing chat, with plans to expand its availability to balanced and precise modes in due course.
Bing search engine operates with three different modes of responses: creative, balanced, and precise. The creative mode is focused on providing imaginative and original responses, while the precise mode prioritizes accuracy and relevance for delivering more factual and concise answers. Microsoft is taking a cautious approach towards its new Image Creator feature, particularly after the recent negative publicity surrounding Bing's inappropriate responses. As a result, the company is taking steps to ensure that the new feature is designed and implemented with the utmost care and consideration to avoid similar issues.
For users who are not part of the new Bing preview, the Bing Image Creator can be accessed independently at bing.com/create, enabling them to generate images using English text-to-image conversion. Microsoft has indicated that it plans to add support for additional languages in due course. Bing preview users will have access to the Image Creator feature via the regular chatbot prompt or through Microsoft Edge.
While Microsoft's rapid deployment of AI-powered text-to-image capabilities in Bing may be a significant development, experts have raised concerns about the potential for the search engine to generate harmful or inappropriate images. There have been warnings about the potential for text-to-image systems to be exploited for propaganda, harassment, misinformation, and other malicious purposes. As a result, it is imperative for Microsoft to prioritize the responsible use of this technology and take steps to ensure that it is not misused. This includes implementing measures such as content moderation and ethical guidelines to safeguard against the creation of harmful images.
Microsoft has emphasized that it is taking measures to prevent any misuse of its Bing Image Creator feature. According to Yusuf Mehdi, the company has integrated OpenAI's existing safeguards, along with additional protections, to ensure the responsible use of the technology. For instance, Microsoft has implemented controls that are designed to limit the creation of harmful or unsafe images. If the system detects a prompt that could potentially generate such images, it will automatically block it and provide a warning to the user. These measures aim to mitigate the risk of the technology being used for malicious purposes and to ensure the safe and ethical use of the Bing Image Creator.
In addition to the Bing Image Creator, Microsoft is also introducing its Stories and Knowledge Cards 2.0 features to all Bing users. Stories provide users with a brief yet informative summary, accompanied by images and short videos. The latest iteration of Bing's AI-powered Knowledge Cards aims to provide users with key information in a visually appealing and easy-to-digest format. These features have been designed to enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to quickly access and absorb relevant information.
