Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot, Xiaoice, has launched a new feature that allows users to conduct image-based queries. Xiaoice, which means “little Bing” in Chinese, is an AI-powered conversational chatbot that was first introduced in China in 2014. Since then, Xiaoice has expanded to several other countries, including Japan and the United States. With this new feature, Xiaoice is taking its capabilities to a new level, allowing users to use images as a search query.

The new image-based search feature is currently only available in China, but it is expected to roll out to other countries soon. The feature allows users to upload an image and receive related search results. For example, if a user takes a picture of a flower, Xiaoice will provide information about the flower, including its name, origin, and care instructions. The feature can also recognize landmarks and provide information about them, such as historical facts and nearby tourist attractions.

The image recognition feature is powered by Microsoft’s computer vision technology, which uses machine learning to analyze and understand images. The technology is able to identify and classify objects within an image, and then use that information to provide relevant search results.

The launch of this feature is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve its search engine capabilities and compete with industry giant Google. While Google currently dominates the search engine market, Microsoft’s Bing has been steadily gaining market share over the past few years. In 2021, Bing had a 6.61% share of the global search engine market, compared to Google’s 92.05%, according to Statcounter.

The addition of image-based search is also part of Microsoft’s larger push into AI-powered technologies. Microsoft has invested heavily in AI research and development, and the company’s AI capabilities are integrated into many of its products, including Bing, Office, and Azure.

While Xiaoice’s new image-based search feature is certainly impressive, it also raises some concerns about privacy and data protection. As with any AI-powered technology, there is a risk that personal data could be misused or leaked. Microsoft has stated that it takes user privacy and data protection seriously, and that the image-based search feature is designed to protect user privacy. However, it is important for users to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate measures to protect their data.

In conclusion, the launch of Xiaoice’s image-based search feature is a significant development in the world of AI-powered search engines. With the ability to recognize and understand images, Xiaoice is bringing a new level of convenience and functionality to search. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and to take appropriate measures to protect personal data.