In a significant stride towards the future of AI chatbots, Microsoft has made a commitment to embrace the same open plug-in standard utilized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This move allows for seamless interoperability between plug-ins designed for Bing Chat, Microsoft’s Copilot platform, and ChatGPT. This development is not only welcomed by developers and users alike but also signifies a pivotal moment where plug-ins are no longer confined to a single platform.
The collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI, further solidified by a recent “multibillion-dollar investment,” has set the stage for groundbreaking advancements. Microsoft’s announcement of the GPT-4-powered Bing Chat just weeks after extending their OpenAI partnership highlights their dedication to pushing the boundaries of AI.
As part of the annual Build developer event, Microsoft has pledged to ensure Azure OpenAI’s applications maintain interoperability with the same plug-in standard employed by OpenAI. This means users can effortlessly transition their AI apps developed on Microsoft’s platform to OpenAI’s platform or any other that adopts the open plug-in standard.
Microsoft has already integrated plug-ins from OpenTable and WolframAlpha into Bing, and now they are expanding their support to include Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, Redfin, Zillow, and more. Plug-ins are vital for AI chatbots such as Bing Chat and ChatGPT as they enhance their capabilities and enable access to diverse sources of information from the web and third-party providers. OpenAI initially introduced plug-in support for ChatGPT in March, and with Microsoft’s commitment to the open standard, we can anticipate an influx of third-party functionalities within Bing Chat and the Copilot platform.
Excitingly, a multitude of renowned companies, including Bandsintown, Bohita, Cloudflare, Coupert, Fareportal, FiscalNote, Golden, Lexi Shopper, Likewise, Notable, One Word Domains, PromptPerfect, Shopify, Skyscanner, Spotify, Spotnana, and Trip.com, are also preparing to introduce plug-ins for Bing Chat in the near future.
While plug-in interoperability is a noteworthy highlight, Microsoft’s AI announcements at Build encompass a broader spectrum. The unveiling of Windows Copilot for Windows 11, AI enhancements to the Microsoft Store, plug-ins for Microsoft 365 Copilot, and various developer-focused AI features demonstrate the company’s dedication to shaping the AI landscape.