ES: Microsoft’s Bing AI has a huge price tag: The tech giant’s cavalier commercialization of generative AI has uncertain profitability. High compute costs are passed on to developers as other challenges mount.

FTC sharpens tech oversight amid AI revolution: Big tech’s opaque algorithms pushed the FTC to create an Office of Technology to rein in the industry. Search wars pose a regulatory wildcard.

On today’s episode, we discuss ChatGPT, generative AI, and AI’s role in banking. In our “Headlines” segment, we examine if 2023 is really going to be the year of the chatbot in banking. In “Story by Numbers,” we reconcile two sets of data to find out how valuable chatbots really are and forecast how many people will consider using a bank chatbot this year. And in “For Argument’s Sake,” we debate new ideas that you may not have thought of when it comes to AI in banking and generative AI. Tune in to the conversation between our host Rob Rubin, analyst Eleni Digalaki, and Victor Chatenay, strategy and innovation manager at NatWest.

Though only available in limited preview, the new AI-powered Bing search engine received a thumbs-up from 71% of testers, Microsoft said in a blog released Thursday. In addition, there has been increased engagement in traditional search results as well as with the new chat feature.

Retailers start to test the waters of generative AI: While companies like Carrefour and Fanatics are using it to improve engagement, Amazon has concerns over data privacy.

The Information Age 2.0 is upon us: Google’s latest product updates illustrate the movement to embed AI into our information sources. The changes will strain computation and energy resources.

Industries ignore AI warning label: Voices of dissent over speedy generative AI deployment are getting louder but may be drowned out by promises of lucrative returns. Risks are mounting.

Year of the chatbot: Google’s Apprentice Bard is among many chatbots we’ll see released by the tech industry this year. Investors are excited, but performance and monetization are market hurdles.

Dazzled, dazed, and confused by ChatGPT: Its creators were unsure about releasing a technology they’re now warning about as adoption skyrockets. Legislators respond to alarm bells with mixed messages.

AI as muse or job killer? ChatGPT isn’t yet commercialized but is demonstrating its potential to rock the economy. The tech will affect white-collar jobs but won’t eliminate them—yet.

Shutterstock jumps on AI bandwagon with generative image tool: But considering investment in the technology, it maybecome table stakes faster than anyone predicted.

Google’s ChatGPT conundrum: Generative AI is becoming a headache for the tech giant that wants to take the ethical high road while also staying competitive in a fast-moving market.

Thousands of Googlers get pink slips: As scavenging continues to rise among other industries, terminated workers shouldn’t be jobless for long. Meanwhile, Google is laser-focused on a revenue-driven AI strategy.

Commercial generative AI poses risk for companies: Kenyan workers paid under $2 per hour to help build ChatGPT are among many human contributors behind generative AI who aren’t given sufficient compensation.

Microsoft is the latest to resort to layoffs: The company is reducing its headcount by 5% as it pivots to plug AI into its key products, subscriptions, and cloud services. But AI still has a lot of hurdles to jump.

Chatbots are AGI stepping stones: DeepMind might release a ChatGPT competitor called Sparrow sometime in 2023. Chatbots are part of a much bolder vision to alter society with artificial general intelligence.

CES 2023 highlighted five big technology trends that will influence the way we communicate with each other and with businesses.

Startups put OpenAI’s Microsoft advantage to the test: OpenAI is becoming one of the US' most valuable startups over its sensational generative AI. Leadership in the space requires skillful monetization.

Microsoft’s cavalier generative AI could be Bing’s big chance: Wielding the technology reflects Microsoft’s risk appetite as it eyes a rare shot at search dominance.

Early adopters are shaping our commercial quantum future: The quantum computing industry is heating up as end users take investment risk. Skills deficits and technical errors are the stumbling blocks.