AI chatbots have seen a significant surge in popularity over the past couple of years. The reliance on these bots has become commonplace. Among the various options available, two major contenders stand out: ChatGPT and Google Bard.
These chatbots have gained popularity for their reliability and versatility. Undoubtedly, they have streamlined numerous processes, making life easier for countless individuals.The debate of ChatGPT vs Google Bard has divided opinions among people, each arguing for the superiority of one over the other.
A quick comparison: Bard vs ChatGPT
Availability
Google Bard is accessible at no cost in over 40 languages across more than 230 countries and territories. Meanwhile, ChatGPT is available in 9 languages and spans 164 countries and territories.
Creators
ChatGPT is developed by OpenAI and Bard is a product of Google.
Price
Google Bard is free whereas ChatGPT is free and ChatGPT plus is available for $20/month.
Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of employing these bots in professional contexts, so you can decide which one is better for you.
Google Bard
Bard, initially released in February 2023 and later rebranded as Gemini, is a Google AI tool specifically designed to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT. It operates on a research-based large language model (LLM), representing a streamlined and optimized iteration of LamDA. Leveraging LLM, Bard functions as a prediction engine, catering to various user needs with its lightweight and efficient design.
Major Features of Google Bard
Extensions
Google recently launched Bard extensions, a novel feature enriching its functionalities. It uses multiple Google services like Gmail, Google Docs, Google Maps, and Google Drive to provide information to the users.
For instance, when organizing a trip with friends, Bard can simplify the process. It extracts data from Gmail to identify dates that suit everyone’s availability. Moreover, Bard assists in arranging travel and accommodation and also offers optimal routes through Google Maps. It also provides insights into destination activities.
Assistant
You may already know about Google Assistant, but Google has made a big leap by integrating Assistant into Bard. This new feature provides users with a personal assistant that can engage in conversations and reasoning.
What makes this unique is its flexibility: users can interact with their personal assistant using voice commands, text messages, or even images. Google is leading the way in this approach, making it the first of its kind in the field of AI assistants.
Google It button
You can confirm the information given by Bard by checking it against Google. A new feature in Bard is the ‘G’ button. When you click on this button, Bard searches for similar responses on Google, providing related information to support its answer. Additionally, you can share your Bard chat with others using a public link. This enables anyone with the link to view the conversation and engage with Bard for more information or questions.
Limitations of Google Bard
Adaptation
Bard takes time to facilitate the latest information, development or news in its responses. So its answers can be partially inaccurate at times.
Internet dependent
Google Bard gets all of its information from the internet. If you don’t have access to the internet, it is basically not at all useful.
Consistency
Bard sometimes lacks consistency in its answers. Its answers can be contradicting related to the previous answers. So you have to keep a check on its answers sometimes.
Privacy
Since Bard Extensions use personal services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive and Google Docs, data privacy can be a concern.
ChatGpt
ChatGPT, released in November 2022 by OpenAI, is recognized as an innovative chatbot known for its ability to converse in a way that resembles human interaction. It demonstrates exceptional creative thinking skills, positioning itself as a prominent tool in the field of artificial intelligence.
Its usefulness extends beyond creative tasks. These include debugging code, summarizing podcasts, solving mathematical problems, and identifying keywords for SEO purposes.
Major Features of ChatGpt
Prompt demonstrations
Initiating engaging and meaningful conversations on ChatGPT is made easier with its AI prompt templates. For new users, starting a conversation can feel overwhelming, as they may not know how to customize ChatGPT to their preferences.AI prompt templates make the platform less intimidating and more user-friendly.. These templates act as helpful prompts, improving the overall user experience for the user. It is also beneficial for people with limited technical skills, promoting smoother user interface.
Advanced voice and image features
ChatGPT now has improved features that allow it to understand both images and voice commands. This advancement opens up the possibility for conversations through voice and interactions using visuals with ChatGPT. By leveraging these features, ChatGPT provides a unique user experience. For example, if you’re looking for ideas for a do-it-yourself project using items from your home, you can simply show ChatGPT pictures of the materials you have. In response, it can suggest potential craft ideas.
Custom versions of ChatGPT—GPTs
ChatGPT has received a significant update introducing custom versions. Users can now create and share personalized iterations tailored to their needs.
To start, log in, go to “Explore,” and choose “Create a GPT.” Enter your instructions, then click “Configure” for advanced customization. Once satisfied, save and share your custom GPT. This feature allows users to tailor ChatGPT to their preferences and workflows. These can be used for both personal and professional practices.
Limitations of ChatGPT
Contextual intelligence
ChatGPT’s ability to understand the situation or question may be limited. As a result, it might deliver irrelevant responses that don’t provide much value to the user.
Data relevance
ChatGPT can only provide responses based on its last update. Consequently, it might not be able to assist with scenarios or events that have taken place after the most recent update.
Need for input precision
ChatGPT excels in adhering to user prompts. However, this characteristic can also pose a drawback. If the user input prompt is unclear, ChatGPT may struggle to deliver satisfactory responses.
Inaccurate information threat
As ChatGPT heavily depends on a vast database for generating responses, there are instances where it may produce outdated or inaccurate information that has evolved over time.
Bard vs ChatGPT: Major points of discussion
Bard provides better overall User Experience
Both chatbots offer similar features at first glance, such as text formatting, chat history, and quick-action buttons. However, Bard has an advantage when it comes to data sources. Bard can provide relevant sources for its responses, unlike ChatGPT. ChatGPT’s web-browsing version of GPT-4 can cite sources but its 3.5 model is not capable of doing so.
ChatGPT is better in coding
When it comes to making code, solving problems, and adding extra tools, ChatGPT is better than Bard. Bard is really good at helping fix mistakes in code and making it better, though. Bard is free, while ChatGPT Plus isn’t, but ChatGPT is simpler to use for coding because it saves past chats for you to check easily. Bard saves them too, but you have to find them yourself. So, in the end, ChatGPT is the best choice.
Modifying queries and responses is easier in Bard
Both chatbots let you change your questions and ask for more specific answers, but they do it differently. With ChatGPT, you have to prompt it again to change its answer. However, with Bard, you can change its response by clicking on “Modify response.” While ChatGPT lets you regenerate the response, the instructions remain the same as the previous one.
On the mobile app, ChatGPT provides voice-based conversations
One of the big things about ChatGPT Plus is that you can talk to ChatGPT and it talks back to you. You can even pick different voices for ChatGPT, and they all sound really natural because real people recorded them. Bard doesn’t do back-and-forth talking yet. Although it can speak its answers, its robot voice isn’t as good.
Bard is designed for research purposes
Bard’s a chatty helper, eager to gather research to help you out. It will provide the source of its response if prompted.
You can also click “Double-check response” (the Google icon) under any answer to find out more or check Bard’s info. Bard also suggests other search terms, which can be useful for research.
ChatGPT is superior in writing skills
ChatGPT is the go-to choice for language tasks in the industry. It’s used in other AI tools like Jasper, Copy.ai, and Bing’s AI tools. In ChatGPT, it works as a chatbot, but it can also summarize, translate, and do other text-based jobs. GPT is trained a lot on web text and mainly focuses on making text using patterns it learned.
It’s important to know that both ChatGPT and Bard have a big problem: sometimes they give answers that sound right but are actually wrong. ChatGPT is still the most popular chatbot that uses a big language model, and it probably will stay that way if OpenAI keeps making it better.
Bard already has lots of users, which is a big advantage. As it keeps getting better and works with more Google products, it could become really common. Once people get used to it, they’ll probably start using it more and more.
So, in the end, Bard might become better than ChatGPT. But really, both of these tools should be part of what you use.