Microsoft has been reportedly experimenting with constructing OpenAI’s language AI know-how into its Phrase, PowerPoint, and Outlook apps. The Data stories that Microsoft has already integrated an unknown model of OpenAI’s text-generating GPT mannequin into Phrase in its autocomplete function, and has been engaged on integrating it additional into Phrase, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Microsoft has reportedly been utilizing OpenAI’s GPT know-how to enhance Outlook search outcomes so customers can discover what they’re in search of with out having to go looking utilizing key phrases in emails. Microsoft can also be mentioned to have checked out how these AI fashions may recommend replies to emails or advocate doc modifications to enhance Phrase customers’ writing. It’s not clear if Microsoft plans to launch these options, or if it’s simply experimentation for now.

If Microsoft leans extra in the direction of constructing in performance that’s current in ChatGPT, the conversational AI that made headlines final yr, then Outlook may compose complete emails primarily based on easy queries. Think about Outlook writing an e mail to your colleagues explaining you’re unwell, primarily based purely on a “write an e mail to my group explaining I’m out sick” question. Microsoft can also be reportedly planning to launch a model of Bing that makes use of ChatGPT to reply search queries. This new function could possibly be obtainable as quickly as March, in a bid to make Bing extra aggressive with Google.

Microsoft will face many challenges bringing extra superior AI text-generation options to its productiveness apps. Chief amongst them is accuracy. ChatGPT nonetheless tends to current incorrect info as truth, which might make any kind of doc creation or superior integration troublesome.

The opposite main hurdle is privateness. Microsoft might want to customise its fashions for particular person customers with out compromising their knowledge. The Data stories that Microsoft has been engaged on privacy-preserving fashions utilizing GPT-3 and the as-yet-unreleased GPT-4. Microsoft researchers have reportedly achieved early successes in coaching massive language fashions on personal knowledge.

Microsoft may use these fashions to scrape and summarize info from Groups Conferences transcripts, after which add pictures generated from OpenAI’s Dall-E 2 picture era mannequin to PowerPoint displays. Researchers have reportedly introduced their Workplace integration work to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, but it surely’s not clear if and when these GPT- or Dall-E 2-powered fashions could be obtainable in Workplace merchandise.

Microsoft already makes use of a wide range of AI in its productiveness apps. Phrase and PowerPoint routinely recommend picture and slide deck captions utilizing AI algorithms, Microsoft Groups makes use of AI to enhance echo, interruptions, and acoustics, and Microsoft constructed an AI-powered autocomplete for code utilizing GPT-3 two years in the past. Microsoft Editor additionally makes your writing higher by utilizing AI to carry out spellchecking, grammar checking, and textual content predictions.

Microsoft bought an unique license to the underlying know-how behind GPT-3 in 2020 after investing $1 billion into OpenAI in 2019. It has constructed a deep relationship with OpenAI ever since, together with plans so as to add an AI text-to-image mannequin to Bing powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E 2.

“AI goes to reinvent the way you do every part on Home windows,” mentioned Panos Panay, Microsoft’s Home windows and Floor chief, on stage at CES final week. Microsoft’s Floor group has been keen to construct new {hardware} to reap the benefits of AI, together with the brand new Floor good digicam. A number of members of the Floor group mentioned the impression AI could have on Home windows and {hardware} in a latest Verge interview.

If Microsoft does push forward with GPT-powered variations of Phrase, Outlook, and PowerPoint then it’ll characterize a speedy commercialization of OpenAI’s GPT fashions. Bing seems set to hitch PowerApps (Microsoft’s first industrial use case of GPT) with its personal AI-powered search outcomes quickly. Each Workplace and Bing integration of OpenAI’s language fashions would put a whole lot of strain on Google, which dominates search and has been making inroads with its Workspace choices to companies.