The competition in Artificial Intelligence-based chatbots is heating up. Close on the heels of the tremendous popularity of ChatGPT, many analysts predicted the imminent end of Google search.
ChatGPT is already running, albeit in a “free research preview” mode. Bard is in beta testing mode and will have a release for general use by the end of February 2023.
The services of ChatGPT and Bard are prima-facie similar. ChatGPT and Google’s Bard are Generative AI chatbots that create content when the users type in a search query. Both tools leverage data from their machine-learning models to answer search queries. The answers are in human conversational mode. But beyond such similarity, significant differences exist between these two tools.
Differences between ChatGPT and Bard
The fundamental difference between ChatGPT and Bard is the backend language model. ChatGPT formulates a response to search queries using the GPT-3 language model. The model, trained using human-created text, can recognise and respond in natural language. Bard uses Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA). Google has built LaMDA on an open-source network to understand natural language. It finds patterns in sentences and between words and creates dialogues based on such patterns. LaMDA holds superior capabilities to GPT-3 since it uses low computing power and can scale effortlessly.
Another main difference between ChatGPT and Bard is the data source. ChatGPT database contains information only up to 2021 and, as such, cannot provide the latest information on any topic. It declines to answer on any current affairs topic. The imminent new ChatGPT 4.0 may offer more up-to-date information, though. Bard piggy banks on Google’s established search engine and can draw the latest information from the Internet.
ChatGPT presently does not have integrated search capabilities. But Microsoft’s recent announcement of a multiple-year partnership with OpenAI is a giveaway. Microsoft will use GPT-4 to embed AI-powered search functions and chat experience in Bing and Edge. Microsoft has also announced plans to allow large companies to create and customise chatbots using ChatGPT.
Meanwhile, Google has not announced when it plans to add AI chatbot functionality to its search engines. IT will be interesting days ahead to see who will get the first-mover advantage in the AI-powered search space.
The content delivery also differs. ChatGPT creates content in a single text prompt. Bard will deliver chunks of information for any query. Bard will also integrate search queries with relevant links along with the content.
Use cases
ChatGPT has already found widespread application in several niches. Developers use ChatGPT to write and debug code and create SQL queries. Marketers use ChatGPT to write product descriptions, draft emails, and other content types. Many users also use ChatGPT to summarise texts, write essays, do translations, generate jokes, and make social media posts.
Bard positions itself as a superior digital assistant, such as Siri or Alexa, and will offer links for users to access more information. In addition to generating the content, Bard will also function as a personal assistant. Bard will help users with tasks such as booking vacations and making reservations. Bard aims to improve the typical Google search and allow users to follow up and take the next course of action after the search.
The evolution of AI technology will ensure more feature additions for ChatGPT and Bard. Users will rely on these tools for more and more use cases.
The Arms race in AI
OpenAI intended to release Chat 4.0 in 2023. But they hastily released Chat3.5 in mid-November to gain an early mover advantage and beat Google to it.
The hasty launch and the subsequent viral growth have come with several challenges. ChatGPT faces frequent outages as it runs out of processing power. Worse, the bot often throws up errors and cannot distinguish between a verified fact and misinformation. At times, it also hallucinates or makes up answers. The bot also remains vulnerable to toxicity and offensive responses. OpenAI has deployed security features to screen and block such instances. But many users have found ways around the safety features.
Google’s LaMBA was ready long before the ChatGPT roll-out, but Google refrained from releasing it due to the issues that ChatGPT now faces.
Nevertheless, the ability of ChatGPT to give essay-like answers to search queries does indeed pose a threat to Google. Following the huge success of ChatGPT, Google declared a “Code Red.” And within no time, Google announced the launch of “Bard” to face the competition head-on. Google’s primary concern is users relying on ChatGPT instead of Google search. In the process, such users will not click on Google links with ads, which generated $208 billion or 81% of the company’s revenues in 2021.
Bard is just the beginning of Google’s counter-response. Alphabet has directed several in-house teams to refocus their efforts on addressing the ChatGPT threat. Task forces are at work to build AI products that generate art and graphics similar to OpenAI’s DALL-E, another hugely popular product.
The main focal point going ahead will be revenues. ChatGPT is also a money pit, with no ads or other visible income streams. It costs OpenAI millions of dollars weekly for the processing power needed to keep ChatGPT afloat. The proposed ChatGPTPlus, at a $20 monthly subscription, will offer enhanced features and some revenue stream. The company’s recent $10 billion deal with Microsoft will also help monetisation. It will also allow ChatGPT to compete with Google’s deep pockets and established revenue model.
It is pertinent to note that ChatGPT and Bard are only two of the several AI-content generators already available. Products such as ChatSonic, Jasper AI, OpenAssistant and Wordtune already offer similar features. China’s search engine, Baidu, is also all set to co-opt the Ernie Bot AI tool. These tools could well upstage the high-profile ChatGPT or Bard. It is also worth noting that BlenderBot, the AI tool launched by Meta only months before ChatGPT flopped miserably. Meta had to pull down Galactica, another AI project, after three days of launch.
Both ChartGPT and Bard are here to stay for the long haul. The AI war is hotting up with ChatGPT and Bard all set to replicate the last century’s famous Coca-Cola v Pepsi cola wars!
Meanwhile, too much hype could provoke regulatory backlashes or create inflated expectations. As of now, it is a mistake to rely on either ChatGPT or Bard for anything over-and-above what is currently possible using the Internet. These tools only make work easier and cannot replace humans anytime in the near future.
ChatGPT has a tremendous beginning, with its user base touching one million in five days. Bard is currently in beta testing and will roll out for general use by the end of February 2023.
