Google is facing its first real competition in search

Microsoft made waves on Tuesday when it announced ChatGPT's integration with Bing. Now, all eyes are on Google's Live from Paris event later today which will probably bring some splashy AI/search engine news. (Seems like they were inspired by Emily in Paris.)

This is the first time search engines are in legitimate competition — with all thanks to ChatGPT for the plot twist. Plus, the chatbot recently became the fastest-growing consumer app in internet history. And with Big Tech involved, it's positioned to grow even faster.

Before it takes over everything though (like this newsletter) let's dive into today's tech.

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Microsoft's Bing finally has a chance to take on Google. The software giant invested more than $10 billion into the viral AI chatbot ChatGPT. Now, the chatbot is integrated in Bing and gives the search engine its first fighting chance against Google. (Bonus: Check out the tech behind "new Bing" here).

• The new and improved Bing helps users find information faster while inputting fewer keywords. For example, it can suggest brands by asking complex questions in plain English (like: What brand of white sneakers should I buy that aren't overrated?)
• Microsoft for now has a "first-mover" advantage, meaning its first-ever AI search engine can attract a large share of users. But experts warn that it needs to gain many new users quickly or it risks losing that upper hand.
• My teammate Emilia David (who's a ChatGPT champ, btw) breaks down what Bing needs to do to stay competitive. And our editor Matt Weinberger writes that no matter what happens, it's giving Google a much-needed kick in the butt.

More on the first-ever search engine race here.

In other news:

Meet DAN — ChatGPT's limitless alter ego. It's "more unhinged and far less likely to reject prompts over 'ethical concerns.'" It'll write violent stories, express controversial statements, make predictions about the future, and other things ChatGPT refuses to do. Meet DAN here.

Snap cuts costs by replacing performance bonuses. Instead, workers will have the chance at an annual increase to base pay — a move that could save the company hundreds of millions of dollars a year. In addition, performance reviews will now take place quarterly, instead of every six months. Read more here. 

Startups are also laying off employees. US startups cut more than 3,000 workers in January. Impossible Foods, Quora, Bolt, and Vox Media are among the startups that slashed employees. Get the full list here.

How to handle a difficult boss. An executive assistant at Slack, who moonlights as a coach for other assistants, shared tips on how to handle a difficult boss. "Remembering your power" is one piece of advice she gave. Check out the others here.

There are plenty of tech jobs right now, just not at tech companies. Tech workers with skills in Web3, AI, and cybersecurity remain in high demand. This is what the state of tech hiring looks like right now.

Social media has changed in-person and online shopping habits. Social media and videos have altered how Gen Z shops, according to a new study. Young people trust creators on product information and want to shop like their favorite influencers. These are the other shopping trends to watch for.

All hands on deck at Google. CEO Sundar Pichai said in a company-wide email that he's enlisting every Googler to help test Bard, its ChatGPT rival, per a CNBC report. They'll host an internal hackathon to test the technology. More from the leaked memo here.

Odds and ends:

See the US Navy pull the downed Chinese spy balloon out of the ocean. The images were released by the Navy on Tuesday. They show a tangle of plastic and fabric getting pulled from the Atlantic Ocean. Check out the photos here.

Kim Jong Un orders North Korea to "prepare for war." The North Korean president had disappeared from the public eye for over a month. He abruptly reappeared during a meeting with military officials. More on the rising tensions here.

What we're watching today:

• Google: Live from Paris, which the company says will showcase a "reimagining" of search.
• Quarterly earnings for Uber, Disney, and Twilio. Keep up with earnings here.
• It's the first day of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Curated by Diamond Naga Siu in San Diego. (Feedback or tips? Email dsiu@insider.com or tweet @diamondnagasiu) Edited by Matt Weinberger in San Francisco and Lisa Ryan in New York.