Bing Chat Still Trending, 'Demand Definitely Did Not Go Down', Microsoft Confirms

Microsoft's Bing Chat has not seen a dip in user interest, insists Mikhail Parakhin, head of Advertising and Web Services at the tech giant.

Parakhin, in a X reply, refutes any notion of waning popularity, attributing recent improvements in the platform's performance not to a decrease in user traffic but to significant enhancements in the system. Parakhin highlights the overhaul of the Responsible AI control system and other tweaks that have resulted in a quicker, more seamless user experience.

Parakhin clarified this in response to an inquiry about whether the perceived smoothness of Bing Chat was due to reduced demand or recent optimizations. He confidently replied that demand remains robust and that the platform's increased efficiency is a product of Microsoft's technical refinements.

This statement came amidst whispers of falling interest in Bing Chat. However, when put to the test and questioned directly, Bing Chat seems coy, offering outdated data regarding its demand levels. While boasting a significant partnership with Oracle to enhance AI capabilities, Bing Chat admitted to a stark decline in user engagement compared to its rival, ChatGPT.

Read next: ChatGPT Reigns Supreme in Saturated AI Market (Chart)
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

When Engineers Speak Out: The Call for Instagram's Accountability

Arturo Bejar, once a key player at Facebook in the fight against online bullying, stepped into the spotlight with a powerful message about the hidden dangers of social media. Speaking to Congress on November 7, 2023, he didn't just come as an expert; he came as a dad. His own teenager faced the dark side of Instagram firsthand, receiving unsolicited and inappropriate messages, a plight that Bejar says the platform has failed to adequately address.

The issue is close to Bejar's heart and his testimony hit home for many. He called out Instagram's parent company, Meta, for knowing about these issues yet dragging its feet in making meaningful changes. These aren't just small problems; they're affecting teenagers' mental health, with Bejar's daughter being one of many who've been harassed online.

Bejar urged for a shift in how social media companies, like Meta, handle user safety, pushing for better ways for teens to report unsettling interactions. It's not enough to have rules against explicit content if there's no way to tackle the gray areas that make kids feel unsafe.

Support from Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley highlighted the importance of Bejar's message, and statistics from Instagram's own surveys back it up, showing a worrying number of young users experiencing unwanted advances.

As Meta faces lawsuits accusing it of harming young minds, Bejar's stance is clear: It's time for Congress to step in with laws that force social media giants to be transparent and accountable. Bejar's not suggesting a complete overhaul—just smarter, teen-friendly tools to report and manage what makes them uncomfortable.

Meta insists it's working hard to improve safety, pointing to new features designed to help. But with Bejar's heartfelt plea and the push for better online child protection laws, it's evident that when it comes to our kids' safety online, there's still a long way to go.

Photo: DIW

Read next: Meta Refuses To Give Political Marketers Access To Its AI Tools Ahead Of The Upcoming US Elections
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

LinkedIn Global Talent Trends 2023: Hiring Continues To Spiral Downwards And It’s Negatively Impacting Employees

LinkedIn is a known name in the world of professional networking, helping millions around the world find the right job. Therefore, when it rolled out its Global Talent Trends Report for this year, there was plenty of anticipation for obvious reasons.

The report proved how global hiring trends continue to spiral downwards and that’s negatively impacting the confidence rates of employees in terms of their careers. It’s a proportional relationship and not one that anyone would want to look forward to.

Furthermore, this report sheds light on how such posts for jobs that include the term AI or Generative AI end up getting better rates in terms of job applications when compared to those that lack such terminology.

That’s when greater emphasis was placed on the efficiency that comes with talent acquisition while putting an eye out there for things like strategies that will help employees retain their current positions.

When looking at a figure featuring a sample of 20 different nations from all over the world, we’re seeing how YoY, the rates of hiring keep on falling. With that said, it’s nice to witness how the decline taking place in 2023 is less than that witnessed in 2022 so there is still some hope that positive effects may take place.

This type of data gets interpreted by the app’s analysis system and is a clear indicator of how employers take upon a cautious means to hire while seeing what is the best method to use and create talent that’s currently on the rise today.

One top-of-the-line digital marketing expert shared through his two-decade-long experience what it really is and feels like to seek a job in today’s time. He unfortunately was also a part of the recent wave of sudden layoffs that firms continue to embark upon to cut off costs.

Todd says that the biggest issue that has to do with hunting for a job at this moment in time is the level of mismatch that arises at the top level when you pair openings with candidates on the rise.

Then you see firing sprees taking place routinely where thousands of applicants jump on the bandwagon to seek a position and make a livelihood. He mentioned how no one really takes the time out to see CVs anymore and if you wish to stand out in a crowd full of people, it’s really hard to do that.

Not only do you require networking that’s solid but you also need all kinds of recommendations too. So yes, people are hiring but they’re being so careful about it and similarly, you’ll find more and more people sticking to the old jobs they have than anything else.

LinkedIn’s report proves how job openings that include the term AI or similar have had 17% growth in job applications over the past couple of years when compared to those that didn’t mention anything of the sort.

LinkedIn also spoke about how those candidates mentioning the term AI in job offerings often tend to be more savvy in nature. This means they wish to go to those places where you’ll find plenty of chances to flourish and hence they’re willing to take the risk to find better opportunities.

This is why the platform is putting out requirements for firms to share a little roadmap of what strategies are in place so they’re in line with today’s market.

Lastly, it was interesting to see how the labor market keeps getting stricter but that does not mean people aren’t willing to seek better job opportunities. The rate at which people are seeking employment has increased when compared to the past two years with the US and UK on the rise.

Read next: ChatGPT Reigns Supreme in Saturated AI Market (Chart)
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Microsoft Authenticator now smarter, silently stopping 6 million hacker attempts

The Microsoft Authenticator app, which gives an extra layer of security when you're logging into your accounts, just got even better at keeping out hackers.

Microsoft's security expert, Alex Weinert, has recently shared this information on how Microsoft has been working to stop hackers in their tracks. They've managed to prevent over six million sneaky sign-in tries since September!

Here’s the deal: Normally, when you log in somewhere, the Authenticator app sends you a little message asking, “Is this really you?” You tap “yes,” and you’re in. But now, if Microsoft thinks something's phishy—like someone trying to log in from a place you've never been before—they won't bother you with that message. Instead, you’ll have to open the app and check things out yourself. It’s like they're saying, “We’re not sure about this one. Can you double-check?”

What's cool about this is you won't be annoyed by constant alerts, and it's actually safer. It especially helps stop those bad guys who try to bug you over and over with login requests, hoping you'll accidentally let them in.

The best part? Microsoft added this new security feature without any fuss. No big announcements, they just made it happen. So, a lot of people are now safer without even knowing anything changed.

In short, the Microsoft Authenticator app isn't just about not having to remember a bunch of passwords; it’s like a silent bodyguard for your online world. With less hassle and better protection, it's quietly keeping your digital life safe and sound.

Read next: OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo: Cheaper, smarter AI now with 100 million active weekly users
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Beyond Search Engines: The Unseen Competitors of Google's Digital Empire

In the digital realm, Google's reach extends far beyond the typical search engine battlefield, an economics specialist conveyed in court. Amid an intense three-day testimony, Mark Israel (MI), from FTI Consulting Inc., highlighted that Google vies for users' attention with a diverse array of online entities, from retail giants like Amazon to travel hubs like Expedia, and even local review site Yelp.

According to MI, every time a user initiates a search, they're making a critical decision on where to source their information. This stance challenges the Justice Department's view, which suggests that Google has an unfair hold over the search and advertising sector. The government agency argues that Google's near-total command of the online search space, estimated at 90%, has led to anticompetitive practices. These include hefty payments — up to $26 billion in 2021 alone — to ensure Google is the preset search option on various devices and browsers, thus stifling competition and hiking up advertising costs unchecked.

However, MI's viewpoint wasn't left unchallenged. The Justice Department pointed out that his perspectives had been previously dismissed by a judge for showing a lack of understanding in antitrust principles. Moreover, his past involvement as an expert in antitrust litigation — including a recent case where his testimony was disregarded — was highlighted to question his credibility.

In a dramatic turn, the Justice Department attorney, Kenneth Dintzer, cast doubt on MI's argument by citing Google's own research, which showed no significant loss of search traffic to Amazon, implying a less direct rivalry.

MI maintained that while entities like Amazon do contest with Google, they're not always in direct competition in every search scenario. For example, both might provide results for a book search, but wouldn't be competing for home improvement queries, which could be Home Depot's domain.

Dintzer further scrutinized MI's argument, suggesting that by his logic, Google was competing with virtually everyone online, including car manufacturers and government entities, as they all have search features on their websites.

Wrapping up, MI admitted these sites offer minimal competition to Google, likening the impact of a missed search to a drop in the ocean, given Google's vast volume of search queries.

Read next: 100 Amazing Facts About Google From Revenue to Advertising Insights
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo: Cheaper, smarter AI now with 100 million active weekly users

OpenAI, the new tech giant at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI), has just upped the ante with its GPT-4 Turbo, announced at a notable event on Monday. This new AI powerhouse boasts enhanced capabilities and is set to revolutionize how developers create bespoke versions of the widely popular ChatGPT bot.

The tech giant is also making moves to be more wallet-friendly by slashing the prices for its software usage. In the AI world, where giants like Google and Meta are fighting for their pie, OpenAI is rapidly advancing its tech offerings. OpenAI's statistics are impressive, with a weekly user base of 100 million and a significant presence across numerous Fortune 500 companies.

A surprise guest, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also appeared on the stage, signaling strong ongoing support to OpenAI and a commitment to provide the best computing resources for AI development. Earlier in the year, Microsoft had fueled OpenAI with an additional $10 billion, marking a record investment in the sector.

Altman highlighted that the innovations were sparked by developer feedback, aiming to tailor their tech to users' needs. While there's buzz around the future GPT-5, Altman did not commit to a release timeline.

Here’s a glimpse of what's new with OpenAI:

GPT-4 Turbo: This iteration is not only more responsive but also up-to-date with knowledge until April 2023, unlike previous versions that stopped at January 2022. Its capacity for longer inputs — up to 300 pages — means it can summarize medium size books. GPT-4 Turbo also pairs with DALL-E 3 for image generation and offers a text-to-speech feature with multiple voice options. Developers can access GPT-4 Turbo now, with a wider release expected soon. The cost to use it has also dropped, meaning more data for less money.

• Also read: 100 Fascinating Facts About Google From Revenue to Advertising Insights (infographic)

Personalized Chatbots for All: OpenAI is democratizing the creation of customized chatbots, extending this power from businesses to individual users.

The goal is to enable easy development of AI "agents" that can perform tasks from web searching to creating images. This move is expected to see AI chatbots become even more integrated into apps and websites we use daily.

GPTs are a new way for anyone to create a tailored version of ChatGPT to be more helpful in their daily life, at specific tasks, at work, or at home — and then share that creation with others. No code required. https://t.co/SPV4TcMiQw pic.twitter.com/PcmorZwtMF

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 6, 2023

Launching a Marketplace: With users now able to craft their AI chatbots, OpenAI is also introducing a marketplace. The GPT Store will allow creators to share and monetize their GPT creations. Performance in the store can lead to financial rewards, with OpenAI sharing a portion of the revenue.

Simplified Tool Access: OpenAI has streamlined access to its suite of AI tools, merging them into one hub. This simplifies the user experience, allowing seamless navigation between image generation, browsing, data analysis, and PDF search capabilities.

Copyright Protection: Lastly, in light of increasing legal concerns around AI and copyright, OpenAI has committed to backing its customers legally and financially should copyright claims arise.

In essence, OpenAI is charting a course where intelligence is the commodity and intelligent agents the future, with the company looking to stay at the pinnacle of AI innovation.

Read next: These Are The Best ChatGPT Alternatives To Try In 2024
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

The Best ChatGPT Alternatives in 2024

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has created seismic shifts in a number of industries, including SEO and web development to name a few. This has led to many professionals scrambling to learn how to use the AI chatbot, but did you know that it’s just the tip of the iceberg? Plenty of ChatGPT alternatives have popped up as well. Before we get into them, we should take a look at the features that’ve made the Large Language Model (LLM) such a mainstay of so many industries:

Text Generation: This is perhaps ChatGPT’s most prominent feature. It enables users to leverage the LLM to generate text that can cover a wide range of writing styles, areas of expertise and even different languages. Many of the added benefits of the LLM chatbot stem from its superior text generation capabilities.

Problem solving: ChatGPT doesn’t just generate random text. Its comprehensive database has given the AI significant knowledge of several areas, and a simple question and answer format can help you uncover newer and better solutions to problems you’re facing.

Automated responses: In a more practical setting, ChatGPT can be used to generate automated responses in an instant. Once again, the wide range of data it utilizes can come in handy here, allowing you to modify and tailor its responses based on the needs of the day.

Developer tools: This is an area that most people fail to recognize. Apart from generating text, ChatGPT can also create some pretty solid code. This can help developers create websites far more efficiently, allow them to trouble shoot issues and even create complex code patterns and landing pages without having to go through all of the work.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Here we have another practical use for ChatGPT. SEO professionals can use ChatGPT to aid them in keyword research, come up with new ideas for content and even make it easier to generate links. You can also run your SEO campaign by ChatGPT to get a better understanding of how successful it’ll be when you implement it.

Now, if ChatGPT has such a wide range of use cases, you might be wondering why you’d need anything else. Well, though the Large Language Model brings a lot of features to the table, it also has its fair share of disadvantages. Here are some of the most important ones:

Fact Checking: For all of its advantages, ChatGPT has one fatal flaw: it can give out false or misleading information at times. This means that you need to fact check everything the chatbot generates, and some writers prefer to just do it themselves to skip the hassle.

Lack of Real Time Data: This is especially pertinent for those that want to use ChatGPT as a customer service chatbot. It’s unable to analyze data in real time, so conversations will already be over by the time the data can be processed. You should be cautious about using it for this purpose, since customer queries might not be addresses as quickly as they need to be.

Ethical Dilemmas: If you have ChatGPT write something for you, can you take credit for it, ethically speaking? It’s an important question to ask, and it’s not the only ethical dilemma ChatGPT brings.

Limited Dataset: When you ask ChatGPT a question, you’re basically going to get information that’s already present online. In fact, ChatGPT 3.5 is limited to information published in 2022, so more recent updates and studies may not be factored in. This means that you can’t rely on it for the most up to date information and statistics.

Clearly, ChatGPT isn’t the end-all be-all of generative AI, so without further ado, here is our curated list that offers some of its best alternatives:

1. Bard

It was only a matter of time before Google created its own answer to ChatGPT, and it did just that with Bard. Using Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications, or Lambda for short, Bard is great alternative to ChatGPT, although it has many of the same fact checking issues as its OpenAI counterpart.

2. Bing Chat

Microsoft is one of OpenAI’s biggest investors, but that didn’t stop the tech juggernaut from launching Sydney, its ChatGPT equivalent on Bing Chat. It uses the latest version of ChatGPT, combing it with Bing’s search engine algorithm, so expect about the same results that you would get with ChatGPT all in all.

3. Jasper

Photo: jasper

Here we have an AI chatbot that finally doesn’t come from a massive existing corporation. Jasper offers excellent conversational text generation thanks to Natural Language Understanding, and its dialog management keeps the conversation realistic as well. It’s a great option for creative cues, and you can also use it to generate some top notch marketing copy.

4. Claude

Photo: Howfinity / YT

This is a next-gen AI virtual assistant from Anthropic, and it’s already shown some impressive language processing capabilities. Anthropic places a lot of emphasis on making its AI honest and truthful, so you may be able to avoid some of the fact checking errors that’ve made users so nervous about ChatGPT.

5. HuggingChat

Screenshot: DIW

With HuggingChat, which is based on Meta AI (LLaMA), you get one of the best open-source GTP-style bot. This LLaMA-powered AI chatbot boasts human-like conversation skills, a unique personality, and multilingual capabilities. It excels in creating original content and distinguishes itself from others like ChatGPT through its specialized training and creative focus.

6. ChatSonic

Screenshot: DIW

Remember, ChatGPT’s main weakness is its propensity for factual errors, and that’s exactly where ChatSonic sets itself apart. The company claims that it uses Google’s search engine to level up its chatbot’s capabilities, although you might want to see for yourself since it also uses ChatGPT 3 which is limited to data published before 2022.

7. Perplexity

Screenshot: DIW

If there’s one thing that could make ChatGPT a whole lot better, it’d be sources and citations. The chatbot is always hesitant to provide any sources, but that’s not an issue you’d face with Perplexity. The conversational AI can be a boon for researchers, bloggers and journalists around the world, and you don’t have to go out looking for sources after getting answers either.

8. Character.ai

Screenshot: DIW

Instead of just talking to a random, faceless chatbot, Character.ai allows you to create entire personas and answers questions in their voice. You can have the chatbot pretend to be Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or really anyone else you have in mind. That can be a great way to diversify its answers and look at topics from multiple, often differing, viewpoints.

9. Elicit

Screenshot: Elicit / Homepage

This platform specifically refers to itself as a research assistant rather than just another chatbot, so you can imagine how useful it can be in that regard. The literature review feature is especially important, since it can provide you with studies and sources to answer any queries you put in.

10. YouChat

Screenshot: DIW

The thing that makes YouChat so special is its ability to provide real time data, unlike ChatGPT. Functionally, it offers a user experience that mimics ChatGPT in many ways, but source citing improves factual accuracy and it can also be a wonderful tool for learning new languages.

11. OpenAI Playground

OpenAI Playground is a free tool that provides an alternative to ChatGPT for interacting with OpenAI's large language models. It offers a code interface, natural language interface, and access to pre-trained models for generating text, translating languages, writing creative content, and answering questions informatively. OpenAI Playground's open-source nature makes it more transparent than ChatGPT, while its access to OpenAI's latest language models enhances its power. Playground is a versatile tool for learning about AI, prototyping AI applications, and sharing AI research.

Conclusion:

ChatGPT has revolutionized several industries with features like advanced text generation, problem-solving, automated responses, coding assistance, and SEO optimization. Despite these benefits, it has limitations, including inaccuracies, lack of real-time data, ethical concerns, and outdated information. As a result, alternatives have emerged, such as Google's Bard, Microsoft's Bing Chat, HuggingChat, ChatSonic, Perplexity, and OpenAI Playground. These offer various improvements, such as better fact-checking, real-time data, unique conversational capabilities, and specialized applications, addressing some of ChatGPT's shortcomings and expanding the options for users seeking AI-powered assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT and AI Alternatives

Q: What are the best alternatives to ChatGPT?

A: The "best" alternative to ChatGPT varies based on user needs and preferences. There are specialized AI solutions tailored for specific tasks such as coding, writing, or conducting online searches. Some prominent alternatives include OpenAI Codex for developers, Jasper for content creators, and various AI-powered search engines for general queries. It's important to assess each alternative's features to determine which one aligns with your requirements.

Q: Is ChatGPT available for free?

A: Yes, the standard version of ChatGPT is available for free, offering users the ability to interact and explore its capabilities without any cost. However, for those interested in the advanced features of GPT-4 (also known as GPTPlus), a subscription fee of $20 per month is required, which ensures access to the latest model with improved performance and reduced downtime. Instructions to access GPT-4 can be found on the official OpenAI website.

Q: What does ChatGPT’s Advanced Data Analysis feature entail?

A: ChatGPT's Advanced Data Analysis, previously referred to as the Code Interpreter, is a premium feature that allows users to input code or data sets for the AI to analyze. This is particularly useful for developers looking to debug or interpret code. To utilize this feature, one must have an active subscription to ChatGPT Plus.

Q: How does Google’s AI offering compare to ChatGPT?

A: Google has developed several AI models, including BERT, MUM, and LaMDA. Their most recent model, Bard, is Google’s counterpart to ChatGPT, providing an experimental conversational AI experience. Bard offers unique features such as internet connectivity, support for extensions, sourcing capabilities, and multimodal interactions, positioning it as a strong competitor in the AI landscape.

Q: Which is better: Google Bard or ChatGPT?

A: Comparing Google Bard and ChatGPT isn't straightforward, as "better" can be subjective depending on user needs. Bard excels with features like drafting with sources and internet integration (including Google Sheets and Docs), whereas GPT-4 is praised for its quick processing and comprehensive data understanding. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on the specific functionalities and experience you are seeking from an AI chatbot.

Read next: Can ChatGPT Help You Master the Intricacies of Content Writing?

by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World