In July 2020, Microsoft launched its Bing AI-powered chatbot, known as Zo. As one of the industry’s most ambitious AI projects to date, many were skeptical as to whether or not the chatbot would be successful. Microsoft made a calculated gamble and, to the surprise of most, it appears to have paid off.
Microsoft’s newfound success with Zo signals a shift in the AI industry. As the search engine market continues to be dominated by Google, Bing has been left in the dust. With the help of their AI-powered chatbot, Microsoft may be able to help close the gap and make a serious push on Google’s stronghold in the industry.
The chatbot’s algorithms were designed to understand the way humans talk and interact. Microsoft’s ability to interpret human input effectively has allowed Zo to handle conversations with users in a natural way. The chatbot also had the ability to understand and use emotional cues, which was another important breakthrough for Microsoft.
In addition to these features, the chatbot was augmented with access to Bing’s expansive library of information. This feature allowed the user to have access to a massive store of knowledge, making it easy for conversations to flow.
Not only has Microsoft’s gamble been a success, it has also signaled trouble for Google. With Microsoft’s Bing AI-powered chatbot now up and running, and proving successful, Google is feeling the pressure to respond.
Google has already responded to the challenge, with their own conversational AI service, known as Presentation. The question now is whether Google can build an AI-powered chatbot that is as successful as Microsoft’s Zo. If Google is unable to successfully provide an AI-powered chatbot that meets user needs, then Microsoft may be able to seize a larger share of the search engine market.
Regardless of who wins the AI chatbot race, what is clear is that Microsoft’s gamble has paid off. Microsoft’s success with their AI-powered chatbot has both upended the AI industry and signaled that Google may have some serious competition in the near future.
