Google’s Bard, an experimental platform for collaborating with generative AI, is taking significant strides to become an even more versatile and capable assistant. With its latest update, Bard is integrating more seamlessly with Google’s suite of apps and services, offering new ways to verify the information it provides, and expanding its functionalities to a broader linguistic audience.
Tapping into the Google Ecosystem: Bard Extensions in English
A major highlight of the recent update is the launch of Bard Extensions in English. These extensions enable Bard to pull relevant data from Google apps you use every day—Gmail, Google Docs, Drive, Maps, YouTube, and even Google Flights and Hotels. This feature aims to streamline the process of gathering information across different platforms.
For instance, if you’re planning a Grand Canyon adventure, Bard can now consolidate dates from Gmail, real-time flight and hotel information, Google Maps directions, and even YouTube videos on things to do at the destination—all within a single conversation. Yury Pinsky, Director of Product Management for Bard, underscores the platform’s aim to make your tasks easier by saying, “Bard is getting even better at customizing its responses so you can easily bring your ideas to life.”
Verification at Your Fingertips: ‘Google It’ Button
The “Google it” button is another remarkable feature in Bard’s latest version. Now available for responses in English, this function allows users to double-check the information Bard provides. By clicking on the ‘G’ icon next to a response, Bard will search the web for content that either supports or contradicts the given statement. This move is an attempt to build more trust and confidence in the AI-generated information.
Shared Conversations: A Canvas for Collaborative Creativity
Bard is also making the collaborative experience more interactive. Now, when a Bard conversation is shared with you through a public link, you can continue the discussion, ask additional questions, or use it as a foundation for your own creative projects. It’s a nod to the idea that creativity often thrives when we build upon each other’s contributions.
Linguistic Expansion: More Than Just English
In a bid to make Bard more accessible, Google is extending existing features to more than 40 languages. Whether you’re uploading images with Google Lens, receiving image-based responses, or customizing Bard’s language style, these features are now available in multiple languages.
The Engine Behind the Updates: PaLM 2 Model
All these advancements are powered by Google’s PaLM 2 model, their most capable to date. The model employs state-of-the-art reinforcement learning techniques, which have been fine-tuned based on user feedback to be more intuitive and imaginative.
A New Chapter in AI Collaboration
With these upgrades, Google Bard is positioned to redefine the way we interact with AI and manage our daily tasks. It’s not just about making life easier; it’s about enriching it with more possibilities and creative freedom. So, if you’re intrigued by what Bard’s latest features have to offer, give them a spin at bard.google.com.
