Google’s chatbot, Bard, is receiving a major update, introducing new features such as expanded language support, the ability to read out responses, conversation history, and the option to export Python code. With generative artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots gaining widespread attention, Google continues to enhance Bard’s capabilities to compete with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing chatbot.
One of the key updates is Bard’s language expansion, now supporting 40 additional global languages, including Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Bard also rolled out to 59 new countries, including European Union member states and Brazil. These updates reflect Google’s commitment to a bold and responsible approach to AI, with collaborations with policymakers, regulators, and experts.
In addition to text-to-image capability, Bard now allows users to input images for search purposes, harnessing the power of generative AI to analyze and provide details relevant to the image. This feature, combined with Google Lens integration, offers users valuable assistance in various situations, such as getting ideas for decluttering a space.
Bard users can now revisit previous chats and responses with the introduction of conversation history. Furthermore, users have the option to customize the tone and style of Bard’s responses, selecting from options like shorter, longer, professional, or casual. While this feature is currently limited to English language chats, Google plans to expand its support to other languages in the future.
Another significant update is Bard’s ability to speak out responses, making it more engaging for users. This is particularly useful when generating poems or when pronunciation assistance is required. Additionally, Bard can now export Python code to Replit, allowing developers to run code live within a web browser.
Though Bard is still in the experimental stage, Google aims to integrate it within its wide array of tools, including Google Lens, Mail, and Search. Merging Bard with other Google apps like Docs, Drive, Gmail, and Maps is underway, while third-party integrations, such as Adobe Firefly for generating high-quality AI images, are also in the works.
By welcoming user feedback, Google aims to continually improve Bard and its generative AI capabilities. The company is focused on ensuring a safe and responsible rollout to a wider user base.
As the AI chatbot landscape becomes increasingly competitive, Google’s updates to Bard position it as a strong contender against rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft. With its growing feature set and expanded language support, Bard offers users a versatile and interactive chatbot experience.
