Microsoft Admits to Experimental Test of Bing AI in Google Chrome

Microsoft has quietly integrated Bing AI into Google Chrome, without the consent of users. A report by Windows Central revealed a pop-up has been appearing on Windows 11 and 10 computers, asking users to enable Bing AI access in Chrome. The same pop-up has also been seen in Safari. This follows an earlier report by Sean Hollister, who found that Microsoft was engaging in deceptive advertising by displaying full-screen ads in search results under the guise of AI interactions.

Microsoft got in hot water for prioritising its own product in search results, which Hollister saw as unfair. This is because it disregards users’ original intent and could mislead them into thinking that Microsoft’s product was the best option. Deceptive advertising practices like this are generally considered unlawful, and they can have serious consequences for businesses. Regulators may take action against companies that engage in these practices, and consumers may also sue them.

Microsoft’s spokesperson admitted that what occurred was an experimental test, something the company frequently conducts to enhance user experiences. The spokesperson clarified that these tests are usually short-lived and do not necessarily reflect what will ultimately be offered to all customers.

Regrettably, the Software Giant disabled this “experience” shortly after Hollister’s story was made public.

Microsoft has been promoting Bing AI within its own Edge browser, but it recently expanded this feature to Google Chrome users. The Bing AI chatbot now works on Bing.com and integrates with standard search results.

A pop-up on Windows 11 appeared for Google Chrome users, inviting them to install the Bing extension, switching the default search engine to Bing. However, Bing AI is not fully functional in Google Chrome, with some limitations on character prompts and conversation resets.

Alongside the rollout, Microsoft added dark mode support to Bing AI, matching system preferences and offering a pure black theme.