Microsoft is providing Bing users with tools to switch off AI-generated content and chat features in search results. According to the company, research showed that users want to decide for themselves whether AI is used in their search sessions. This is reported by ad-hoc-news.de.
Browser extension for Chrome and Edge
The core element is an official extension for Google Chrome and the Edge browser. It suppresses automated AI overviews and accompanying chat elements on the Bing results page. Installation automatically sets Bing as the default search engine. In the Chrome version, newly opened tabs are also said to point to Bing; the documentation for the Edge version does not list this behaviour. The extension is in a preview phase, and Microsoft may change it at any time. According to the source, no details are available on regions, prices or mobile devices.
Alternative without extra software
Users who do not want to install software can, according to Microsoft's Bing blog, hide AI answers with a search operator: appending "-ai" to the search term, for example "why is the sky blue -ai". The effect then applies only to that search; browser settings remain unchanged.
What is missing
According to the source, the Bing website itself does not yet offer a switch to permanently disable AI features with one click. Microsoft did not explain why it has not chosen such a solution in user accounts or search settings.
Classification
For users who do not want AI overviews in their research, this can mean more control, especially at browser level. Whether the solution proves useful in everyday use depends on how the preview develops.
Sources
Editorially owned by Ideal Syka. Sources and method: Newsroom & method. Tips and corrections: ai@i6eal.de.
