Google’s chatbot Bard set to reach 180 countries, integrating into Gmail and other apps
Google has announced that it will be opening up its chatbot, Bard, to users in more than 180 countries around the world, including Australia. Bard is Google’s answer to chatgpt, built on its large language model, PaLM2. It can provide information, write code, translate languages and analyze images. Here the link to access it: http://bard.google.com
Until now, Bard was only available in the US and the UK, but the expansion means more users around the world can benefit from its capabilities. At Google’s annual I/O conference on Thursday, the company also announced future advancements to Bard, including the ability to provide visual responses in addition to text-based responses.
Using Google’s Lens application, users will be able to upload images to be analyzed by Bard. Google demonstrated how users can upload a photo of two dogs with the prompt “write a funny caption for these two,” and Bard will be able to determine the breed of dogs and draft responses.
Google also plans to integrate Bard into Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps and its other products over time in a feature it calls Duet AI. This integration will allow users to get assistance with writing and other work functions within the apps.
As part of Google’s commitment to developing AI ethically, the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, said all of Google’s AI models would include the use of watermarking and metadata to let people know that AI-generated content is exactly that. This measure will help promote transparency and reduce the risk of AI-generated content being used for malicious purposes.
With the expansion of Bard, more users will be able to access its capabilities and benefit from its advanced language processing abilities. As Bard continues to evolve and integrate into Google’s suite of products, it has the potential to revolutionize how users interact with technology.
While chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard offer many benefits, we must also be cautious of becoming too reliant on technology and becoming lazy in our thinking and actions. As Muslims, we should strive to use technology as a tool to enhance our knowledge, skills, and productivity, and not as a replacement for critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. We should also be mindful of the time we spend on these technologies, and ensure that we are balancing our online activities with other important aspects of our lives, such as family, community, and worship. Let us remember that technology is a means to an end, and not an end in itself. By using technology responsibly and with intention, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.
