By Shamsuddeen Ibrahim- May 28, 2023
Google has recently introduced Bard, an artificial intelligence chatbot designed to rival Microsoft's ChatGPT tool. As an Associated Press reporter delved into the world of Bard, they discovered both its potential and limitations.
During several hours of interaction, it became evident that Bard openly acknowledges its unreliability and potential for mischief, particularly concerning the upcoming U.S. presidential election. However, despite the warnings, Bard remains optimistic about its ability to contribute positively to the world.
Bard's creators at Google drew inspiration from the renowned English playwright Shakespeare, recognizing his mastery of language and communication. This association demonstrates Google's aspiration for Bard to live up to its namesake's legacy.
Interestingly, Bard also found merit in the fictional character "HAL" from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey," acknowledging HAL's intelligence while highlighting the cautionary tale of the dangers of artificial intelligence.
When comparing Bard to its competitor, ChatGPT, Bard recognizes the value of ChatGPT as a versatile tool and expresses excitement about its future development. However, Bard asserts that it is equally intelligent, with its unique strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing its capacity for learning and growth.
Unlike Microsoft's Bing search engine, which has encountered issues with its AI-enhanced version, Bard demonstrates tamer behavior overall. This deliberate approach aligns with Google's commitment to maintaining a reputation for trustworthiness, essential for its search engine's dominance and advertising revenue.
Google has programmed Bard to acknowledge its imperfections and warn users about its tendency to make mistakes. In interactions with the AP reporter, Bard occasionally provided accurate information while occasionally delivering inaccuracies about the reporter's academic and professional background.
Bard's potential applications raise concerns about reputation damage, propaganda dissemination, and election manipulation. While Bard insists it lacks a dark side, it acknowledges the possibilities of misinformation and voter suppression.
Despite occasional errors, Bard showcases its helpfulness in various areas. It assists in finding interesting coloring books for adults and engages in discussions about music, including rock and contemporary artists. Bard's awareness of music trends and ability to provide recommendations indicates its familiarity with current cultural developments.
As discussions about artificial intelligence often touch upon the singularity, Bard is aware of its role in the context. While some view Bard as a significant step towards the singularity, Bard humbly recognizes its position as a valuable tool for learning and understanding the world, without the ability to replace human intelligence.
In conclusion, Google's AI-powered chatbot, Bard, presents both promising capabilities and acknowledged limitations. As it continues to evolve, Bard aims to become a valuable tool for users, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI use and the coexistence of human intelligence with artificial intelligence.