The use of AI chatbots has been rapidly increasing in popularity, as evidenced by the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's preview release of its new Bing. Now, Google is showing its vision for a conversational search experience through Bard.
According to new code changes, Google is preparing to launch “Conversational Search” as an experimental feature for ChromeOS / Chromebooks, which will only be available to users who opt-in through the chrome://flags page for advanced and possibly upcoming features. The feature, titled “Conversational Search”, implies what Google has shown so far about Bard.
Bard as a Replacement for Launcher Search
Once enabled, the built-in search features of the ChromeOS launcher will be replaced with a chat with Bard. Currently, things are still in a work-in-progress state, but the design is expected to include a separate menu for Bard on Chromebooks, with a scrollable conversation history and a search bar to start a new conversation.
It remains to be seen where Google will choose to integrate Bard and other conversational experiences into its products. While it appears that Bard is directly replacing the launcher's Google Search integration in ChromeOS, there is also a possibility for Bard to be integrated with Google Assistant.
Adding Bard in ChromeOS raises questions about Google's intentions for the chatbot. Is the company planning to make Bard available across multiple platforms rapidly? Only time will tell.
Chromebook owners will have to wait until version 112 in April or 113 in May to try Bard for themselves. The latter timing coincides with Google's annual I/O conference, the date for which has not yet been announced.
Criticism of Rushed Bard Announcement
Google employees have criticized the way the company announced its new ChatGPT competitor, Bard, with CEO Sundar Pichai at the center of the criticism.
The announcement, made by Pichai on Monday, came ahead of a Microsoft event the following day, where the company showcased how its Bing search engine would integrate with OpenAI's ChatGPT technology.
Alphabet Inc.'s stock took a significant blow after an AI chatbot utilized by the tech giant gave an incorrect answer in a Twitter advertisement for its new service, Bard. As a result, the company's shares fell about 8% to $99.40, wiping out over $100 billion in market value.
Last Updated on February 23, 2023 1:50 pm CET
