As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, Alphabet’s Google is now turning to its generative AI chatbot, Bard, to help people write code and develop software. In a bid to catch up with Microsoft, the tech giant recently announced plans to update Bard and make it more accessible to the public.
Introduction to Google’s Bard
Bard is an AI chatbot that relies on past data to create content, rather than simply identifying it. Google has described it as an experiment in collaboration with generative AI technology. The chatbot was originally released to a small group of users who could chat with it and ask questions, as an alternative to using Google’s traditional search tool. However, in late March 2023, Google began the public release of Bard, seeking users and feedback to improve the chatbot’s functionality.
Catching up to Microsoft
Google’s release of Bard to the public is part of a larger effort to catch up with Microsoft in the race for AI technology. Microsoft’s ChatGPT, a chatbot created by the startup OpenAI, has been gaining popularity since its release last year. As more and more users look to integrate AI into their work, the race to create the best and most accessible AI technology has only intensified.
How Bard Works
Bard can code in 20 different programming languages, including Java, C++, and Python. Additionally, it can help debug and explain code to users. One of its most useful features is the ability to optimize code for faster or more efficient performance with simple prompts. For example, a user can ask “Could you make that code faster?” and Bard will provide suggestions for improvement.
What Sets Bard Apart
One of the unique features of Bard is its ability to show three different versions or “drafts” of any given answer, allowing users to toggle between them to find the best solution. Additionally, Bard includes a “Google it” button that users can click if they want to see web results for a query.
Benefits of Using AI Chatbots like Bard
The use of AI chatbots like Bard can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of software development. By relying on past data to create content and suggest improvements, AI chatbots can help speed up the coding process and minimize errors. Additionally, chatbots like Bard can help democratize AI technology, making it more accessible to users who may not have extensive programming experience.
Challenges and Limitations
While AI chatbots like Bard are incredibly useful tools for developers, they also come with some challenges and limitations. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the chatbot’s suggestions are accurate and effective. This requires extensive testing and feedback from users. Additionally, AI chatbots are only as effective as the data they are trained on, so it’s important to continually update and improve their training data to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Conclusion
Google’s update to its AI chatbot Bard is a significant step forward in the race for AI technology. By making it easier for users to code and develop software, Bard can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of software development. However, it’s important to remember that AI chatbots like Bard are not without their limitations, and it will be important for Google to continually improve and update Bard to ensure its effectiveness.