Microsoft’s Bing Chatbot, now officially branded as Copilot in Bing and Edge, has undergone a major transformation in 2025 — evolving from a simple conversational tool into a full-fledged AI assistant ecosystem powered by OpenAI’s GPT‑5 and Microsoft’s proprietary Smart Mode technology.
⚙️ From Bing Chat to Copilot: The Rebrand
Originally launched in early 2023 as “Bing Chat,” the service integrated OpenAI’s GPT‑4 into Microsoft’s search engine, revolutionizing how users interacted with the web. By mid‑2024, Bing Chat was rebranded as Microsoft Copilot, aligning it with the company’s unified AI strategy across Windows, Microsoft 365, and Edge.
In 2025, Bing Chat’s identity officially merged under the Copilot umbrella, meaning users now access the same AI experience whether they’re using Bing.com, Edge sidebar chat, or Windows 11 Copilot (Microsoft Edge Features).
🧠 Powered by GPT‑5 and Smart Mode
According to reports from Windows Forum and OmniMind AI, Microsoft began rolling out GPT‑5 to Bing and Copilot in August 2025. This upgrade introduced a new Smart Mode, a server‑side “model router” that dynamically decides which AI model to use depending on the complexity of the query.
- Quick queries (like weather, facts, or definitions) are handled by a lightweight, high‑speed model.
- Complex reasoning tasks (like coding help, research synthesis, or creative writing) are escalated to GPT‑5, which offers deeper reasoning and more humanlike responses (WindowsForum).
This hybrid approach allows Bing Chat to balance speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency, while maintaining a seamless user experience.
🔍 Smarter Search and Context Awareness
Bing Chat in 2025 is more than a chatbot — it’s an AI-powered search companion. Instead of simply returning links, it now provides summarized answers, interactive citations, and visual overviews. Users can ask multi-step questions like:
“Compare the top hybrid SUVs under $40,000 and show me recent reliability data.”
The chatbot responds with a structured summary, embedded charts, and direct citations from trusted sources.
It also remembers session context, allowing follow-up questions like “Which one has better resale value?” without restating the topic — a major step toward natural, conversational search (Of Zen and Computing).
🧩 Integration Across Microsoft Ecosystem
Bing Chat (Copilot) is no longer confined to the search bar. It’s now integrated across:
- Microsoft Edge – accessible via the sidebar for research, summarization, and content generation.
- Windows 11 Copilot – system-level integration that can manage settings, launch apps, and summarize documents.
- Microsoft 365 – embedded in Word, Excel, and Outlook for AI-assisted writing, data analysis, and scheduling.
This unified experience means your Copilot can follow you across devices and applications, maintaining context securely through your Microsoft account.
🔒 Privacy and Responsible AI
Microsoft continues to emphasize its Responsible AI framework, ensuring transparency and user control. Copilot clearly cites sources, warns when information may be incomplete, and allows users to toggle between Precise, Balanced, and Creative conversation styles.
Additionally, enterprise users benefit from Copilot for Microsoft 365, which runs in a secure tenant environment, ensuring that proprietary data never leaves the organization’s control.
🌐 How to Access Bing Chat / Copilot
You can access the latest Bing Chat experience in several ways:
- Via Microsoft Edge – click the Copilot (sparkle) icon in the sidebar.
- On Bing.com – sign in with your Microsoft account and click “Chat.”
- In Windows 11 – press Win + C to open Copilot directly.
- Mobile – through the Bing or Microsoft Copilot app (available on iOS and Android).
For more guidance, see Microsoft’s official Bing Chat page and the OmniMind AI guide.
🔮 What’s Next for Bing Chat
Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to expand Copilot’s capabilities with multimodal understanding — combining text, voice, and image inputs — and deeper integration with third-party plugins. Early tests suggest Copilot will soon support customized “skills” similar to ChatGPT’s GPTs, allowing businesses and developers to build specialized assistants directly into the Bing ecosystem.
🧩 Final Thoughts
The evolution of Bing Chat into Microsoft Copilot represents a major milestone in AI-assisted search and productivity. With GPT‑5, Smart Mode, and seamless integration across Microsoft’s platforms, Bing is no longer just a search engine — it’s a personalized, context-aware digital companion that’s reshaping how people interact with information.
Sources:
- Microsoft Edge – Bing Chat Features
- Windows Forum – Microsoft Copilot 2025 Overview
- OmniMind AI – How to Use Bing AI Chat in 2025
- Of Zen and Computing – Bing’s AI-Powered Updates Challenge Google
- upGrad – Bing Chat with AI and GPT-4
Microsoft has introduced a new chat mode in Bing that combines search with an AI chatbot. This mode enhances the search experience by allowing users to interact with Bing in a conversational manner. However, the chat function is exclusive to users who have access to the new Bing, which currently requires joining a waitlist. Once a user receives access, they can utilize this feature by signing into their Microsoft account within Bing.
Some users have encountered issues when trying to access the chat mode, being informed that it’s available only with the new Bing despite already having access. To address this, suggestions include changing the default browser’s user agent or using a browser extension designed to enable the Bing chat feature. Microsoft is likely working on updates to ensure smoother access as the user base grows.
Key Takeaways
- Bing’s chat mode merges search capabilities with a conversational AI.
- Access to chat mode is currently limited to users with new Bing access.
- Users facing access issues may change their browser settings or use supportive extensions.
Understanding Bing Chat Mode
Bing Chat Mode brings an advanced AI chatbot experience to users. This new functionality merges the vast knowledge of Bing with the conversational capabilities of ChatGPT.
Access and Availability
Users looking to engage with Bing Chat must first join a waitlist to gain access to the open preview. The waitlist system ensures a gradual rollout. Once access is granted, users typically interact with Bing Chat through Microsoft Edge. The Edge browser offers seamless integration but other web browsers also support Bing Chat through user agent changes or specific extensions designed to bypass browser restrictions.
Navigating Chat in Bing
After gaining access, users may find navigating the chat functionality straightforward. By clicking the chat icon, users can initiate conversations where Bing provides insights and answers. Microsoft Edge enhances this experience by offering a dedicated chat sidebar. Any issues or repeated prompts to join the waitlist despite already having access may require users to verify they’re signed in with the correct Microsoft account associated with Bing Chat Mode.
Bing Chat with ChatGPT Integration
Microsoft collaborates with OpenAI to integrate GPT-4 capabilities into Bing, creating a robust chatbot. This copilot in search can understand and generate human-like text, making it a powerful tool for interpreting prompts and delivering relevant responses across various topics. Bing Chat stands out by offering contextual answers linked directly from search results.
Comparing Bing Chat to Competitors
Bing Chat Mode differs from other AI chat services by its integration with a search engine and its conversational interface. While Google Chrome and other browsers have their AI-powered solutions, Bing Chat leverages Microsoft’s ecosystem, which includes products like Windows 11, Xbox, and the Bing app available for iPhone and Android.
Optimizing User Experience
For a better experience with Bing Chat, users can apply tips and guides from various sources such as Tom’s Guide. Reviewing frequently asked questions and understanding the difference between chat mode and standard search queries help users optimize their use of Bing. Reducing confusion by staying informed about updates and availability across different platforms ensures users can fully utilize Bing Chat Mode’s potential.
