The anticipation for Microsoft‘s new Bing AI chatbot has been building steadily since its limited preview launch in early February 2023. Integrating the conversational powers of AI like ChatGPT, this new search engine aims to provide more natural, intuitive interactions that go beyond the traditional search experience.
But with access still restricted through an invitation-only waitlist system, many are wondering: how can I get my hands on the new Bing AI?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know as you wait in line for this revolutionary AI assistant:
What Makes the New Bing AI So Exciting?
Before we dive into signing up, it‘s important to understand what makes this new Bing so groundbreaking. While we‘re used to search engines giving us direct answers to queries, Bing‘s AI capabilities allow for a human-like back and forth conversation.
Some of the key features that set it apart:
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Conversational search – Bing can engage in an ongoing dialogue, allowing you to ask follow-up questions to dig deeper and clarify any confusion. No more dead ends after a single query.
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Summarized responses – Bing gathers information from across the web and distills it down into easy-to-digest summarized answers, citing sources for transparency.
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Creative writing aid – Ask for help writing poems, improving essays, crafting stories, or generating new ideas. The AI is your creative sidekick.
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Daily planning assistance – Bing can suggest personalized daily schedules, meal plans, project timelines, travel itineraries and more based on your needs.
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Feedback and improvement – Microsoft will continue expanding Bing‘s knowledge and refining responses through user feedback over time. The AI keeps getting smarter.
Early conversations show it‘s capable of impressively human-like exchanges thanks to the natural language processing power behind it.
But rather than take our word for it, let‘s get into how you can experience these groundbreaking AI capabilities firsthand.
Joining the Waitlist on Bing.com
Gaining access starts with joining the waitlist, which Microsoft is using to gradually roll out Bing AI to testers.
Here‘s how to sign up:
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Head to Bing.com in any web browser and look for the "Join the waitlist" button.
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Click the button and sign in using your Microsoft account. Create one for free if you don‘t have an existing account.
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Read and accept the terms of service.
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Verify your account via a confirmation email or text message.
Once signed up, you‘ll see a message that you‘ve successfully joined the waitlist. Now it‘s a waiting game until Microsoft sends you an invite email granting access to the new Bing chatbot.
Pro Tip: Check your spam folder regularly so you don‘t miss the invite email which could get incorrectly flagged.
How to Get Access Faster
Microsoft has not provided an exact timeline for granting waitlist access, but there are a few tips to boost your chances of getting invited earlier:
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Download the Bing mobile app – Available on both iOS and Android. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
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Make Bing your default search engine – Set Bing as the default on all your browsers and devices. This signals active engagement.
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Use the daily Bing wallpapers – Enabling the daily rotating Bing images on your devices keeps you interacting with Bing services.
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Scan the QR code – On the Bing waitlist page, scan the QR code to instantly download the mobile app.
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Follow Bing‘s social media accounts – Follow @Bing on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc. to stay updated.
The main goal is to demonstrate active usage of Bing services tied to your Microsoft account. This signals to Microsoft that you‘re eagerly waiting for Bing AI access.
Waitlist Statistics and Expected Access Timeline
Within just 48 hours of the initial preview launch, over 1 million people joined the Bing AI waitlist according to Microsoft.
The waitlist grew so rapidly that Microsoft had to throttle signups, reportedly due to higher than expected demand. Most experts believe the waitlist now likely exceeds 5 million users based on website traffic analytics.
Chart showing massive growth of Bing AI waitlist signups over time since initial launch
As for timeline, Microsoft has stated they are "scaling access slowly to ensure a smooth user experience." Most predicts it will take 1-2 months for the average waitlisted user to gain access.
However, those who actively engage with Bing as outlined above may get invites within 2-4 weeks, although Microsoft has not confirmed this officially. The rollout period is expected to last through Spring 2023 as Microsoft monitors traffic and makes ongoing improvements to the AI algorithm.
Common Questions About Bing AI Access
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting access to the new Bing chatbot:
Is Bing‘s AI available in my country?
The preview is currently only accessible in the United States. International expansion plans are not yet announced.
Is the new Bing free to use or paid?
Bing AI access is free for consumers, just like the classic Bing search engine. Microsoft makes money through search ads. There are no charges to use it.
What are the limitations of the preview version?
The current AI capabilities are limited compared to what‘s possible in the future due to the preview state. There may be occasional inaccurate or strange responses. Access is being intentionally throttled as well.
What happens if I miss the invite email?
If you don‘t accept the invitation within a week, you lose the chance and have to wait for Microsoft to re-send later based on capacity. So be sure to check your inbox regularly.
When will Bing AI launch fully?
Microsoft has not set a specific launch date yet and is being cautious about overpromising during the preview period. Many experts predict a full consumer launch within 6 months if the preview goes smoothly.
Get Ready for the AI Search Revolution
The new Bing chatbot marks a paradigm shift in search technology thanks to the power of AI. Microsoft is aiming to provide not just information retrieval but an intelligent assistant for creative tasks and daily needs.
Joining the waitlist now is the best way to get your foot in the door and be among the first to experience this new frontier in search. With demand extremely high, it may take patience, but the payoff of early access will be immense.
Buckling up on the waitlist ride will put you in the front seat to witness the revolution of AI search assistants taking shape. Don‘t get left behind!
