Bing Search offers a number of tools to help users understand the context and trustworthiness of search results. Even in circumstances where a user is expressly seeking low authority content (or if there is a data void so little to no high authority content exists for a query), Bing Search provides tools to users that can help improve their digital literacy and avoid harms resulting from engaging with misleading or inaccurate content. For example, Bing Search may include answers or public service announcements at the top of search results pointing users to high authority information on a searched topic such as key global elections or warnings on particular URLs known to contain harmful information (such as unaccredited online pharmacies and sites containing malware).
Where circumstances warrant (such as public health crises or major elections), Bing Search may provide information hubs for users to easily access a centralized repository of high authority information.
Bing Search also provides users with informative panels and direct answers to certain search queries and is now available in a multitude of global languages.
Bing Search’s “Knowledge Cards” feature also gives users a single view of authoritative information on a specific topic. An example is shown on page 95 of our PDF report.
Bing Search provides users with public service announcements (PSAs). PSAs are user messages that appear as answer boxes at the top of a list of search results for certain triggering queries, providing information on potential risks associated with that query and/or pointing to support resources. PSAs are triggered by queries on specific topics, such as child pornography, attempts to purchase illegal pharmaceuticals, suicide, etc.
Bing search also partners with trusted election authorities to empower voters with authoritative election information on Bing. Bing leverages partnerships with EU election authorities to help direct users to trusted and/or official sources of information concerning elections and voting information.
For example, Bing launched specialized How to Vote Answers in advance of the French snap elections held June-July 2024. Examples of how these special answers appear to users are shown on page 96 of our PDF report.
In addition to the features available for core search experiences, Bing generative features notify users that they are interacting with an AI system and are presented with opportunities to learn more about these features and generative AI, such as through in-product disclaimers. Bing Generative Search results displays a disclosure shown on page 97 of our PDF report.
Microsoft also offers meaningful resources for users interested in learning more about generative AI features and tools though blog posts, articles, information hubs, and support pages. In addition to teaching AI basics and how-tos, these resources reiterate the importance of checking AI-generated materials and understanding the strengths and limitations of AI. See e.g.,
Microsoft AI help & learning.
As part of Microsoft’s Tech Accord commitments, Microsoft has created trainings for political parties, candidates, and election officials to improve their understanding of what deepfakes are and how they can protect against their use in elections. At the time of writing, Microsoft has completed 50 separate training sessions across EEA countries reaching over 500 participants. Countries include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.
Microsoft is committed to providing resources, educational materials, and guides so that users can develop literacy when interacting with AI systems and will continue to explore ways to further educate the public on important generative AI topics.
