Google has launched its AI chatbot Bard, which is currently only available to a select group of users above 18 in the US and UK. Bard can access up-to-date information online and even has a “Google it” button to access searches.
Unlike its rival, ChatGPT, Bard is programmed to namecheck its sources for facts, such as Wikipedia. However, Google has warned that the AI chatbot would have some “limitations” and it might share inaccurate information or display bias.
Bard: The Experiment
Bard is Google’s cautious response to the generative AI race. It is a descendant of an earlier language model called Lamda that was never fully released to the public.
Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk has called Bard “an experiment” and hopes people will use it as a “launchpad for creativity.”
Like a Google search, Bard can be interacted with, providing answers to questions in natural, human-like language.
Chatbots: A Look into the Future
AI chatbots are designed to answer queries online using human-like language. They can generate anything from computer code to student essays, speeches and marketing copy.
When ChatGPT was rolled out in November 2022, it gained over one million users within a week, according to OpenAI, the company behind it. Microsoft has spent billions of dollars on its AI chatbot, and integrated it into its search engine Bing during last month.
It also vowed to bring a new version of the tech to its office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The Future of Chatbots
While ChatGPT’s knowledge database only extends to 2021, Bard can access current information. However, it is does not respond to offensive prompts and also has filters to stop it from sharing illegal, harmful, sexually explicit, or personally identifiable information.
Google is openly advising users not to trust everything Bard says, and it will closely monitor Bard to ensure it conform to its own “AI principles,” which covers reinforcement of bias or evading the creation.
Bard cannot express opinions, however, like ChatGPT, it can mimic the writing styles of others.
The Responsibility and Principles of AI
For all the excitement that surrounds this tech, there are terrifying stories about some of the more disturbing things ChatGPT has been manipulated into doing. Ultimately, these powerful tools, still in their infancy, could be a huge threat to many different types of jobs.
Conclusion
Google’s cautious approach to AI chatbots is commendable, but the future of chatbots and AI, in general, is still uncertain.
While it is an exciting development, there are concerns about the potential for misinformation and bias and the threat to jobs.
Companies like Google are responsible for ensuring that the technology is used ethically and responsibly.
