Microsoft expands AI access, lets use enhanced features without signing up for waitlist

Microsoft has now expanded public access to its generative artificial intelligence programmes and the AI-enhanced features are now available for anyone to use without a waitlist.

In a blog post published on Thursday, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft, announced that the features of the company's Bing search engine and Edge internet browser are now open for anyone to use.

According to him, the services have been enhanced with the ability to work with images as well as texts. In the future, Microsoft intends to add video features to the mix.

The executive said that a Bing "Image Creator" was recently integrated into Microsoft's AI chatbot's repertoire, which enables it to generate visual, as well as written content.

Additionally, the company will be expanding Image Creator's capabilities so that users can use their native languages.

The developments come as experts flag the dangers of AI, which include but are not limited to potential uses for fraud, with voice clones, deep-fake videos and convincing written messages.

In March of this year, a range of experts urged a pause in the development of AI systems and asked for time to make sure that the systems are safe.

Over 1,000 people, including billionaire Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, were among the signatories of the open letter prompted by generative AI technology from Microsoft-backed firm OpenAI. 

The letter claimed that "AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity."