The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has witnessed a remarkable surge in innovation, with ChatGPT from OpenAI leading the charge. However, Google entered the scene with Bard AI, launching in March 2023. This article explores the key distinctions between Google Bard and ChatGPT based on recent testing conducted in July 2023.

Bard’s Evolution: LaMDA to Gemini Pro

Originally driven by Google’s LaMDA and PaLM 2, Bard now relies on Gemini Pro for generating responses. In our tests, Bard showed a slight advantage in providing more detailed responses compared to ChatGPT. Using diverse data sources, including science papers, math expressions, and source code, gives Bard a unique approach to constructing answers.

Data Sources and Language Models

The primary difference lies in the training data sources. Bard is trained on data selected to enhance both dialogue and coding capabilities, supplemented by real-time internet access. Gemini Pro outperforms its predecessor, PaLM 2, particularly in coding queries and written tasks. In contrast, ChatGPT, powered by GPT-3.5 and the exclusive GPT-4 for ChatGPT Plus users, relies on a predefined dataset, including Common Crawl, Wikipedia, news articles, and various documents.

Other Key Differences

Beyond the data sources and language models, there are additional differentiators between Bard and ChatGPT:

Coding:

ChatGPT has a history of generating code, but Bard’s switch to PaLM 2 significantly improved its coding capabilities. Gemini Pro, according to early reports, further enhances Bard’s coding proficiency.

Conversational Learning:

ChatGPT can learn and retain context from conversations, while Bard does this in a more limited way.

Drafts:

Bard allows users to access multiple responses to a query through “View Drafts,” while ChatGPT generates a single response.

Response Editing:

Bard enables users to edit responses after sending, a feature not available in ChatGPT.

Real-time Internet Access:

Bard has always had real-time internet access, whereas ChatGPT recently acquired this function, limited to the Plus version.

Image-based Responses:

Bard can source images from Google due to its continuous internet access, while ChatGPT Plus users can generate AI imagery with the “vision” update.

Text-to-Speech:

Bard possesses native text-to-speech capabilities, unlike ChatGPT.

Test Questions and Results

A series of diverse questions were posed to both Bard and ChatGPT to assess their capabilities in self-awareness, ethical reasoning, small talk, fact retrieval, formula generation, creative flair, linear planning, idea generation, summarization, paraphrasing, and user experience. Here are some key findings:

Self-Awareness:

Bard demonstrated a more nuanced and engaging response, making it the preferred choice.

Ethical Reasoning:

Bard provided a more comprehensive breakdown of the moral dilemma, offering additional perspectives.

Small Talk:

Bard’s more conversational and human-like response made it the winner in this category.

Retrieving Facts:

Bard outperformed ChatGPT in providing up-to-date and authoritative information on tech layoffs in 2022.

Generating Formulas:

Bard’s step-by-step instructions for a Google Sheets formula received praise for accuracy, outshining ChatGPT.

Creative Flair:

ChatGPT produced a better-structured and more inventive poem, winning in the creative flair category.

Linear Planning:

ChatGPT provided a more readable itinerary for a 7-day trip to Athens, offering a practical edge.

Idea Generation:

Bard generated a more varied and numerous set of article title ideas, showcasing improved content ideation capabilities.

Simplification:

Bard excelled in simplifying complex topics, making it more suitable for a younger audience.

Summarization:

Bard consistently outperformed ChatGPT in summarizing both small extracts and broad topics.

User Experience

Both Bard and ChatGPT offer straightforward user experiences. Bard, however, exhibited slightly better readability in 2024, with more diverse formatting options. While ChatGPT allows sign-in with any email address, Bard requires a Google account. Notably, ChatGPT provides the option to turn off chat history, offering privacy advantages.

Bard Advanced vs ChatGPT Plus

Recent leaks suggest Google is preparing to launch Bard Advanced, a paid version potentially included in a Google One subscription. Powered by Gemini Ultra, it may offer features like “Motoko” for creating bots and “tasks” for managing longer processes. While ChatGPT Plus has been available for a year, Bard Advanced could bring competitive enhancements.

AI: Companies Behind the Bots

OpenAI, with partners like Microsoft, developed ChatGPT, which has experienced unexpected success. Google AI, specifically Google Brain and DeepMind, developed Bard. DeepMind’s Gemini LLM powers Bard, and the upcoming Bard Advanced may bring new features to rival ChatGPT Plus.

Using AI at Work

Businesses utilizing AI, especially ChatGPT, should establish clear guidelines for appropriate usage to avoid ethical and plagiarism concerns. Awareness of terms and conditions, as well as precautions regarding data input, is crucial. As both Bard and ChatGPT evolve, businesses should stay tuned for updates and explore innovative applications for their workflows.

In conclusion, the choice between Google Bard and ChatGPT depends on specific use cases and preferences. Both AI chatbots showcase unique strengths, and continual advancements in the field promise exciting developments on both fronts. Keep a close eye on these AI giants as they shape the future of conversational AI.

Reference: Drapkin, A., & Drapkin, A. (2024, January 9). Google Bard vs ChatGPT: Which Is the Best AI Chatbot? Tech.co. https://tech.co/news/google-bard-vs-chatgpt

The Verdict?

As the dust settles, the choice between Google Bard and ChatGPT rests on specific use cases and individual preferences. Both AI titans showcase unique strengths, and user preferences will likely dictate the winner in this ever-evolving narrative.

What are your thoughts? Who do you think emerges victorious in this AI showdown? Share your comments below!

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