How Bard Functions:

The foundation of Google Bard lies in the Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2), launched in late 2022. PaLM, and its predecessor, Google's LaMDA technology, stem from Transformer, a neural network design by Google from 2017. Open-sourcing Transformer led to the birth of other AI tools like GPT-3, the engine behind ChatGPT. Bard prioritizes search, focusing on natural query phrasing instead of keywords. It provides context-driven responses, and its unique trait is handling subsequent queries. Bard initially utilized a less intensive version of LaMDA to cater to more users simultaneously. PaLM's inclusion now lets Bard offer visually rich responses.

Bard's Launch Date

Bard's introduction came on February 6, 2023, with no clear launch date. The influence of ChatGPT's rising fame led to speculations that Google hastily launched Bard. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai, during a live demo, showcased Bard making an error regarding the James Webb Space Telescope, causing a dip in Google's market value by $100 billion. On March 21, 2023, Google launched Bard's waitlist, which was dissolved on May 10, making it accessible in over 180 locations.

Eligibility to Use Bard

Google has set an age restriction of 18 years, and a personal Google account is mandatory. Bard operates in 180 regions, with expansion plans in the pipeline.

Bard's Limitations: Bard, akin to all chatbots, undergoes constant learning. This was evident from its faulty demo. Continual learning is the nature of AI due to the ever-evolving information sphere.

Bard's Pricing: Currently, Google Bard seems to be a free tool, aligning with Google's history of offering free services. Speculations suggest that Bard will be an integral part of Google's core search engine.

Google Bard vs. ChatGPT

Both are AI-powered chatbots. ChatGPT, based on generative AI, produces unique content. However, while Bard aims to simplify searches, it can also generate new insights. Interestingly, Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into Bing, paving the way for similar search engine integrations. A notable difference is Bard's real-time data-driven responses, whereas ChatGPT's data is restricted up to 2021. While OpenAI has a plagiarism detector for ChatGPT, it's unclear if Bard possesses a similar tool.

Google Bard Alternatives

ChatGPT isn't alone in the AI chatbot realm. Numerous startups offer similar technologies. Some of Bard's main competitors are:

• Microsoft Bing: In collaboration with OpenAI, Bing offers an AI-driven search experience.
• ChatSonic: Touted as a ChatGPT rival, ChatSonic merges AI chatbot technology with WriteSonic, an AI text creator. A subscription is needed for full features.
• Jasper Chat: An AI chatbot tool for businesses, aiding in brand-consistent content creation.
• YouChat: An AI chatbot belonging to German search engine You.com, which provides answer citations for user verification.
• NeevaAI: Part of the Neeva search engine, it offers cited sources and condenses information from multiple sources for cohesive answers.