MICROSOFT UPDATES BING SEARCH
» Microsoft has BOSTON rolled out new features on its Bing search engine powered by artificial intelligence.
One update announced Wednesday answers search queries by summarizing two opposing sides of contentious questions. Another measures how many reputable sources are behind a given answer.
Tired of delivering misleading information when their algorithms are gamed by trolls and purveyors of fake news, Microsoft and its tech-company rivals have been going out of their way to show they can be purveyors of good information — either by using better algorithms or hiring more human moderators.
“As a search engine we have a responsibility to provide answers that are comprehensive and objective,” said Jordi Ribas, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for AI products.
Gas prices lift consumer inflation.
WASHINGTON» Surging gasoline prices pulled U.S. consumer inflation up 0.4 percent in November. The Labor Department says prices at the pump increased a sharp 7.3 percent from October. Excluding the volatile food and energy prices, so-called core consumer inflation rose a modest 0.1 percent in November.
Target buys Shipt.
Target is planning to boost its same-day delivery capability by paying $550 million for Shipt, its latest move to try to catch up with Amazon. Shipt delivers groceries to its members, who pay $99 a year for the service. Target says it will add more products.
Tru mpc ondo prices falling.
YORK» A real NEW estate research firm reports that prices for condos in Trump buildings in Manhattan fell in the first year of the Trump presidency. CityRealty says the average price per square foot for condos sold in Trump-branded buildings in the borough fell 7 percent in the 12 months through November compared to the year earlier. It also found that prices dropped in eight of 11 Trump buildings.
Justice Department confirms criminal prob ein Ube rc ase.
SAN FRANCISCO» A recent letter from the U.S. Attorney’s office confirms the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation connected to allegations a former Uber executive stole self-driving car technology from a Google spin-off to help the ridehailing service build robotic vehicles.