Google is joining the chatbot race with its new bot, Bard, set to be launched in the coming weeks. Bard is a response to ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI with funding from Microsoft. The new bot is already available to trusted testers and is designed to offer conversational access to the world’s knowledge, utilizing a smaller version of Google’s AI model called LaMDA.
Here are the 5 key points to know about Bard:
1. Bard utilizes text generation software
Both Bard and ChatGPT are built on text generation software, which is known for its eloquence but is also prone to fabrication and replicating unsavory speech patterns. This presents a challenge for building new products on top of the technology.
2. A novel use of AI technology
CEO Sundar Pichai has not announced plans to integrate Bard into Google’s search box, but instead showcased a cautious use of the AI technology to enhance conventional search. For questions without a single agreed-on answer, Google will synthesize a response that reflects different opinions.
3. API availability for developers
Pichai also stated that Google plans to make the underlying technology available to developers through an API, similar to OpenAI’s approach with ChatGPT, but did not offer a timeline.
4. A response to ChatGPT’s success
The popularity of ChatGPT has led to speculation of a challenge to Google’s web search dominance. Microsoft, which recently invested $10 billion in OpenAI, is holding a media event related to ChatGPT, believed to announce new features for their search engine Bing.
5. Caution advised
AI models trained on text from the web are prone to exhibiting racial and gender biases and repeating hateful language, as highlighted by Google researchers in a 2020 research paper. Google has chosen to proceed cautiously with its AI technology, but the advent of ChatGPT has inspired the company to accelerate its timeline for implementing text generation capabilities into its products.
Implications for AI in Web Search
The launch of Google’s Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT has reignited discussions about the potential of AI chatbots to revolutionize web search. The ability of these chatbots to provide quick and accurate answers to complex questions has the potential to change the way we access information online.
One of the major benefits of AI chatbots is their ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and present it in a conversational manner. This allows users to access a wealth of knowledge without having to sift through countless web pages. Additionally, chatbots can save users time by providing instant answers to their questions, without the need to navigate to different websites.
Another important aspect of AI chatbots is their ability to learn and improve over time. By gathering feedback from users and fine-tuning their algorithms, chatbots can provide even more accurate answers in the future. This makes AI chatbots a valuable tool for businesses and individuals looking to access up-to-date information quickly and easily.
However, the use of AI chatbots also poses some challenges. For example, the technology used to build these chatbots is still in its early stages, and there are concerns about the accuracy and reliability of their responses. Additionally, AI models trained on text scraped from the web are prone to exhibiting racial and gender biases, and repeating hateful language. These limitations must be addressed if AI chatbots are to reach their full potential and revolutionize web search.
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Conclusion
Google’s Bard is a response to the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, utilizing text generation software to offer conversational access to the world’s knowledge. While the limitations of AI technology need to be addressed, Google’s cautious approach to integrating Bard into its products will ensure the quality and accuracy of the chatbot’s responses.
