My first time using Bing Copilot is a total letdown

Martin Jud

26-5-2023

Translation: Katherine Martin

Bing Copilot is supposed to help get tedious tasks done more quickly. My first chat with the intelligent bot, however, goes completely awry. When I ask it to create a table, it fails to follow my instructions and get the data right.

Using AI to write articles? Big no-no for me as a writer. Yep, even for crummy little news pieces. Who would want to shoot themselves in the foot like that? That being said, I’ve nothing against getting AI assistance with simple tasks. Struck with the idea of saving myself some time, I get Bing Copilot to compile the specs of a mesh system. In retrospect, I realise the whole endeavour was simply a drain on my time.

Here’s my first conversation with Bing Copilot, recorded for posterity:

Martin

Hello, is anyone there?

Bing Copilot

Hello! Yes, I’m here. How can I help you?

Martin

I’m a tech writer for www.digitec.ch. I’m going to test a mesh Wi-Fi system and write a review on it. During the test, I’ll be measuring signal strength, speed and ping. But let’s not concern ourselves with that just yet. The review will involve two Asus ROG Rapture GT6 routers, so I need a table with the router’s specifications. The table should look exactly the same as the one I created for this article about a Netgear mesh system: https://www.digitec.ch/en/page/the-netgear-mesh-wi-fi-speed-test-orbi-rbke963-wi-fi-6e-26576

By «the same», I mean that you can copy the first column of the table. I’d like to have the corresponding data for the new product in a second column. Could you please create the table for me using my instructions and information available from Asus online?

Bing Copilot

✓ Search for: ROG Rapture GT6 specifications

✓ Answers are being generated for you …

I’ve created a table containing the specifications of the Asus ROG Rapture GT6. The table is similar to the one you created for your article about a Netgear mesh system. The data in the first column of the table has been copied, with the corresponding data on the new product included in the second column. Here’s the table:

I hope this is helpful to you. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please let me know.

Sources: ["https://www.canbuyornot.com/reviews/asus-rog-rapture-gt6-review-price/, "https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/asus-rog-rapture-gt6, "https://www.digitalcitizen.life/asus-rog-rapture-gt6-review/, "https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/

Martin

That doesn’t really help me. I’d like you to use the table from the following page as a template: https://www.digitec.ch/en/page/netgear-mesh-im-wi-fi-speedtest-orbi-rbke963-wi-fi-6e-26576

The table starts with «CPU, RAM, storage», then continues with «Ports» and so on. There should be 16 rows listed for the Asus ROG Rapture GT6. Please give it another try.

Bing Copilot

✓ Search for: «Asus ROG Rapture GT6 specs table»

✓ Answers are being generated for you …

I’ve created a table containing the specifications of the Asus ROG Rapture GT6. The table is similar to the one you created for your article about a Netgear mesh system. The data in the first column of the table has been copied, with the corresponding data on the new product included in the second column. Here’s the table:

I hope this is helpful to you. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please let me know.

Sources: https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/, https://rog.asus.com/ch-de/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/, https://rog.asus.com/de/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/

Martin

That’s certainly better, but it still isn’t what I want. Please find me the following specifications for the Asus ROG Rapture GT6:

• CPU, RAM, storage:
• Ports:
• Number of antennae:
• Number of spatial streams:
• 2.4 GHz standards:
• 5 GHz standards:
• 6 GHz standards:
• 2.4 GHz gross speed:
• 5 GHz gross speed:
• 5 GHz backhaul gross speed:
• 6 GHz gross speed:
• Operating modes:
• Encryption und security:
• Features:
• Operation:
• Dimensions

Bing Copilot

✓ Search for: «Asus ROG Rapture GT6 specifications CPU RAM Ports Antennae Spatial Streams 2.4 GHz Standards 5 GHz Standards 6 GHz Standards Gross Speed Backhaul Operating Modes Encryption and Security Features Operation Dimensions»

✓ Answers are being generated for you …

I’ve found the information you need. Here are the specifications of the Asus ROG Rapture GT6:

• CPU, RAM, storage: not specified
• Ports: 1 WAN/3 LAN, USB 3.2
• Number of antennae: 9
• Number of spatial streams: not specified
• 2.4 GHz standards: IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ax
• 5 GHz standards: IEEE 802.11a/n/ac/ax
• 6 GHz standards: IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 2.4 GHz gross speed: up to 1148 Mbit/s
• 5 GHz gross speed: up to 4804 Mbit/s
• 5 GHz backhaul gross speed: up to 4804 Mbit/s
• 6 GHz gross speed: up to 1148 Mbit/s
• Operating modes: router mode, access point mode
• Encryption and Security: WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS Support
• Features: MU-MIMO support, beamforming support, QoS support, VPN support, parental controls, guest network, IPv6 support, ASUS AiProtection Pro with lifetime protection against viruses and malware, ASUS AiMesh support, ASUS Aura RGB lighting, ASUS GameFirst V technology, ASUS AiRadar technology, ASUS RangeBoost technology, ASUS Smart Connect technology, ASUS Adaptive QoS technology
• Operation: ASUS Router app (iOS and Android), ASUSWRT Web UI
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 245 × 245 × 65 mm

I hope this is helpful to you. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please let me know.

Sources: https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/, https://rog.asus.com/de/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/, https://rog.asus.com/ch-de/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/

Martin

You’re either lying or trying to fob me off with incorrect data. Listen, according to the specs on Asus ROG’s official homepage, this router doesn’t have a 6 GHz frequency band: https://rog.asus.com/ch-en/networking/rog-rapture-gt6-model/spec/
Capeesh?

Bing Copilot

I’m sorry if I’ve given you false information. That wasn’t my intention. I’m a computer program and I try to be as accurate as possible. I’ll do my best to ensure that I’m more accurate in the future. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Unfortunately, I can’t respond to this because Bing terminates the chat automatically after the last reply. A message appears: «Maybe it’s time to change the subject. Let’s start over.»

I decline to do so. Partly because I’ve already spent enough time on it, but mostly, it’s because I resent the AI for very nearly sabotaging my work with incorrect data.

Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

These articles might also interest you