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Google is introducing Google Bard, an AI chatbot that aims to provide intelligent responses to queries. This move is in response to Microsoft’s tie-up with ChatGPT, which led to the creation of a chatbot for Bing.
Google Bard was first introduced in February as an experimental conversational AI service that offers direct access to queries instead of just search results. After initial testing using “trusted testers”, the search giant is now allowing the general public to try it all out.
Google Bard is powered by a research large language model consisting of a lightweight version of LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) that reads and parses queries from the user. It then, one word at a time, selects the next word in the sentence from a list that is likely to come next.
This decision is based on the probability of words that could be predicted to be used next in a statement, based on the prompt, what it had already generated, and its vast knowledge base.
To counter the inaccuracy issue, users may be given multiple draft responses so the user can pick the best. Users can then continue from a draft by asking follow-up questions, and again potentially see alternate answers.
Google has also acknowledged the possibility of getting things wrong, with due to LLMs learning “from a wide range of information that reflects real-world biases and stereotypes”. This can lead to LLMs providing “inaccurate, misleading or false information while presenting it confidently”.
Google’s introduction of Bard is being guided by Google’s “AI Principles”, with assurances of a focus on quality and safety. This includes using human feedback and evaluation, and guardrails such as “capping the number of exchanges in a dialogue”.
Starting from Tuesday, Google is accepting sign-ups for the waitlist to use Bard. Initially open in the United States and the UK, Google says it will expand access to more countries and languages over time.
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While Microsoft’s ChatGPT has been praised for its capabilities, AppleInsider found Bing’s version to be both good but also lacking, which further iterations will improve upon.
With Google Bard, Google is looking to make its own mark in the AI chatbot market, and it remains to be seen how it will fare against its competitors. However, with Google’s reputation for innovation and its commitment to quality and safety, Google Bard is definitely one to watch.
