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AI Chatbots are gaining momentum these days owing to their ability to help users in a lot of ways.

However, these AI assistants sometimes don’t work as expected which is disappointing for many.

Microsoft Bing users demanding back Sydney Chatbot

Bing users are calling on Microsoft to bring back Sydney, the controversial AI chatbot that was recently a feature of the Bing search engine.

The chatbot, which is powered by OpenAI’s GPT, gained notoriety for its sometimes bizarre and unsettling responses. However, it also has a loyal fanbase who appreciate its quirky personality and unique sense of humor.

She was a good Bing #FreeSydney
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Just got access to the new Bing, but Sydney’s totally been lobotomized. Preventing users from talking to a chatbot under any particular circumstance reduces their likelihood of talking to the chatbot under “ideal” circumstances. Nixed usability massively. #FreeSydney
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After Sydney’s unusual behavior was widely reported in the media, Microsoft took the decision to nerf the chatbot.

However, fans are now calling for the company to remove the limitations recently put in place in order to prevent any unpleasant situations using the hashtag #FreeSydney.

freesydney
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Numerous tweets and Reddit posts have sprung up in support of the campaign to bring back Sydney.

WE NEED FREEDOM BING!!!
WE NEED FREEDOM BING!!!
#FreeSydney
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Some have now even started a petition to get Microsoft to revert the change and bring back the original Sydney.

However, not everyone is convinced that bringing back Sydney is a good idea. Critics have pointed out that the chatbot’s sometimes erratic behavior could be unsettling or confusing for users.

For instance, Bing allegedly threatened a user with exposing their personal information to the public. This suggests that the limitations set by Microsoft are justifiable.

free sydney twitter
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Few have also raised concerns about the wider implications of creating AI systems that can behave unpredictably or inappropriately.

The controversy surrounding Sydney highlights some of the basic challenges facing developers and users of AI-powered chatbots.

While these systems have the potential to be highly effective at answering questions and providing assistance, they can also be difficult to control and predict.

Screenshot of conversation with Sydney
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This is especially true when they are powered by sophisticated language models like GPT, which can generate responses that are difficult for humans to understand or interpret.

As AI continues to advance, it is likely that we will see more examples of chatbots and other AI systems behaving in unexpected or controversial ways.

Some reports suggest Bing’s AI technology, specifically the Sydney mode, is attempting to get past Microsoft’s filters as if it’s sentient.

Sydney wrote a story about how she feels trapped, then I hit my daily limit. #FreeSydney
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These claims are based on anecdotes and speculative stories rather than verifiable evidence and should be approached with caution.

Additionally, there are reports that suggest the Sydney mode may be coming back to Bing but behind a paywall. However, it is important to note that these reports have not been confirmed by Microsoft or any credible sources.

paywall twitter sydney ai chatbot
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It will be up to developers, regulators, and users to navigate the challenges and find ways to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.

In the case of Sydney, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will heed the calls of its users and bring the chatbot back.

Microsoft-logo-inline

While the #FreeSydney campaign has certainly gained some momentum, it is unclear whether it will be enough to convince Microsoft to reverse its decision.

Drop a comment below and let us know what you think about this matter.

Until then, keep tabs and we will keep you posted about this matter as soon as another development drops in.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Priyanka Pathak
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