Move over ChatGPT, there’s a new chatbot in town. Meet Bard, Google’s new AI chatbot that’s giving ChatGPT a run for its money. With similar capabilities, Bard boasts a massive dataset and can assist with writing, explaining complex topics, and coding, among others.
However, Bard is different from its predecessor in a key way: it was trained on current data and updated regularly. This gives it an edge in keeping up with current news and events. As an experiment, Google reminds users that Bard may not always get it right and may give inappropriate responses. As we pit ChatGPT and Google Bard against each other, it’ll be exciting to see which one emerges victorious.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that uses machine learning to converse with users and provide answers to various queries. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT was released on November 30, 2022, and quickly gained popularity, with 1 million users signing up in just five days. The name “GPT” stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer,” which refers to the way the chatbot finds patterns in data sequences to generate responses.
Currently, ChatGPT uses the Generative Pre-training Transformer 3 (GPT-3.5) language model, which is trained on human-created text found on the internet. Meanwhile, the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, uses the upgraded GPT-4 model.
ChatGPT can generate various types of content. These include email drafts, blog posts, product descriptions, customized code, summaries of transcripts, meetings, podcasts, law briefs, simple explanations of complex topics, translations, memes, jokes, and even social media posts. But on the other hand, ChatGPT’s ability to generate essays that are convincing has raised concerns among teachers and professors who worry about students cheating. To address these concerns, OpenAI introduced a new AI text classifier early in 2023.
Takeaway: ChatGPT is a powerful tool that uses AI algorithms to assist you in various tasks. That’s why it has become increasingly popular among a vast number of people for generating writing prompts, creating content ideas for articles, providing Google Sheets formulas, etc.
What is Bard?
Google Bard is another AI-powered chatbot simulating human conversations with machine learning and natural language processing. Using Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA), Bard retrieves responses from the internet, providing more detailed answers than the typical results that come from a Google search. Additionally, the new lightweight version of LaMDA allows Bard to scale for broader usage while consuming less computing power.
Bard’s primary goal is to simplify the process of obtaining information. Like digital assistants (e.g., Alexa and Siri), it seeks to present answers to users’ questions, without displaying a lengthy search engine results page. It also helps you with tasks such as planning meals, booking vacations, and looking for reservations. Bard’s search queries are more conversational and natural, unlike traditional search engines that rely on keywords.
One of the features that set Bard apart from other AI-powered chatbots is its ability to provide users with links to gather more information. This function facilitates a smoother user experience, enabling you to access the information you need without having to navigate multiple web pages. As Google continues to develop Bard and other AI-powered chatbots, you can expect to see more sophisticated AI capabilities that will allow you to achieve more complex tasks.
Are ChatGPT and Google Bard available yet?
Both of them are available to the public in different ways. Initially, the free version of GPT-3 powered ChatGPT was web-based but now offers an Application Programming Interface (API) to customize ChatGPT to a customer’s needs.
Google Bard is slowly rolling out to people in the US and UK exclusively, and there’s a waitlist to sign up for. But for Google One members and Pixel Superfan group members, access is automatic upon signing up. Expectedly, Google will make Bard available to everyone soon.
It’s worth noting that there’s a paid version of ChatGPT, ChatGPT Plus, which anyone can access for $20 per month. ChatGPT Plus has additional features, including the ability to access GPT-4, OpenAI’s more powerful LLM (large language model). This allows users to provide more customized responses. Microsoft implementation of ChatGPT Plus is also available through Bing Chat, which provides alternatives for AI-powered text generation.
Takeaway: While both chatbots continue to evolve, offering new capabilities with time, ChatGPT is still the more accessible option since its launch. Bard’s slow rollout may indicate that Google is taking a measured approach to ensure a positive user experience.
ChatGPT and Google Bard: A comparison
1. The main differences at a glance
ChatGPT and Bard are two natural language AI chatbots that function similarly, answering questions or providing responses to prompts. Still, there are some considerable differences between them.
One of the main differences between the two chatbots is the data sources they use. Google Bard draws information from the internet in real time. Hence, it can provide up-to-date answers based on the latest research. In contrast, ChatGPT’s sources end at 2021 data, limiting its ability to provide answers based on newer research and information.
Moreover, the chatbots use different language models to generate responses. Bard uses Google’s LaMDA, a model designed to understand natural language and find patterns in sentences and between words to create dialogue. ChatGPT, on the other hand, uses its own GPT-3.5 model, which is pre-trained on data collected before 2022.
Another notable difference is how they generate content. Bard creates responses in chunks of information, while ChatGPT generates responses as a single text prompt. This can result in differences in how the responses are structured and presented to users.
Furthermore, ChatGPT has been integrated into Microsoft’s Bing search engine, Teams, Edge, and various Microsoft Office applications, providing users with a seamless experience within those platforms. Google Bard, however, currently exists as a stand-alone tool, with potential integration into Google Search and third-party applications in the future.
Takeaway: While ChatGPT and Google Bard have similar functions, their differences in data sources, language models, and response structures lead to unique user experiences. These chatbots represent advancements in natural language processing technology and have the potential to revolutionize how you interact with AI.
2. Comparison table
| Criteria | ChatGPT | Bard |
| Developer | OpenAI | |
| Language Model | Generative Pre-training Transformer 4 (GPT-4) or Generative Pre-training Transformer 3 (GPT-3) | Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) |
| Training Data | Common Crawl, Wikipedia, various texts and documents sourced from the open internet, ending in 2021 | Infiniset, Common Crawl, Wikipedia, documents, conversations, and dialogues sourced from the web, with real-time updates |
| Plagiarism Detection | Built-in AI text classifier | None at this time |
| Pricing | Free for all users; ChatGPT Plus available at $20/month for faster response times, priority access to new features, and use of GPT-4 | Free to users with access |
Takeaway: ChatGPT and Bard have some differences in their developer, language model, training data, and features. While both are free to use, ChatGPT has a paid version that offers additional benefits. ChatGPT includes a built-in AI plagiarism detection tool, while Bard does not have this feature at this time. When it comes to training data, Bard supposedly provides real-time updates while ChatGPT’s sources end in 2021.
3. In-depth comparison
LaMDA is designed for dialogue, and GPT is made for text functions
Google’s LaMDA and OpenAI’s GPT are two of the most advanced language models currently available. Both models use transformer architecture, a type of neural network that processes sequential input.
Their purpose is the main difference between the two models. While GPT was trained on a massive dataset of text from the internet, including books, articles, and documents, LaMDA was trained on Infiniset, a dataset focused on dialogue and conversations. This means that LaMDA is better suited for having open-ended conversations with humans and understanding their intentions.
In comparison, GPT is more focused on generating text based on statistical patterns, making it the industry standard for natural language tasks. As part of ChatGPT, it can work as a chatbot aside from being a translator, a summarizer, and other textual level-based roles. Despite LaMDA’s superiority in conversation and context-switching, GPT is highly trained on web text, making it more effective in tasks such as summarizing large extracts of text.
Takeaway: Depending on the task at hand, one model may be more suitable than the other. Both models represent the cutting-edge side of natural language processing technology and demonstrate the potential for AI to improve how we communicate and interact with technology.
Bard works to draw from the web while ChatGPT can write large amounts of text
Both ChatGPT and Google Bard are natural language AI chatbots that can generate responses to user prompts. However, one of the major differences between the two is how they source their responses. ChatGPT is a text-based tool that is better suited for writing large amounts of text, such as articles or emails. It can also serve as a chatbot, but its data sources end in 2021, limiting its ability to provide answers based on the latest research and world events.
In contrast, Bard can draw its responses from the internet to pull in real-time data to provide more accurate and up-to-date information on current events and research. This makes Bard a more advanced personal assistant than ChatGPT. For example, this chatbot could summarize a book published in 2023 and comment on its public and critical reception, while ChatGPT failed to do so.
However, Bard’s credibility has been threatened by a recent mistake, and it’s important to note that there may be limitations in terms of the range of topics it can cover. As a text-based tool, ChatGPT is better at generating text-based content, while Bard is better suited for answering questions across a range of topics.
Bard offers an improved user experience
Bard, unlike ChatGPT, has a user-friendly interface with formatted text that makes it easy to scan. It allows users to edit their questions and view multiple responses. Besides, each response has a “Google it” Call To Action (CTA) that confirms the source, making it a better user experience.
ChatGPT will belong to Bing while Bard will be Google Search’s streamlined version
Regarding AI-powered language models integrated into search engines, Google has opted for OpenAI’s Bard model while Microsoft is using GPT-4 for Bing.
While both models are useful, Bard has a current knowledge base and the ability to synthesize complex topics into easy-to-digest formats. It seems that this system is shaping up to be a streamlined version of Google search, enhancing research and understanding across all fields.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is more text-focused and requires careful prompting to generate detailed results. Furthermore, as mentioned above, Bing’s implementation of GPT-4 is currently limited, with users having to join waiting lists for full access.
Speed and accuracy
ChatGPT and Google Bard differ in terms of both speed and accuracy. While both models can answer complex or open-ended questions, Bard generally delivers responses more quickly. This may be due to a smaller user base.
In testing, when asked to write an essay, Bard took about 6 seconds to return a response. Meanwhile, ChatGPT took a few seconds before slowly delivering each word.
Additionally, Bard allows users to choose from three directly generated drafts. On the other hand, ChatGPT allows users to regenerate the response if needed.
Takeaway: Bard provides faster responses and more concise generated drafts, while ChatGPT allows for more detailed responses and regeneration options.
Grudge match: ChatGPT and Google Bard
1. Write a poem
When it comes to writing poems about complex topics like the future of news, both Bard and ChatGPT have their strengths and limitations. Although Bard provided a decent poem, it lost rhythm halfway through. Meanwhile, ChatGPT managed to keep the rhyming going and pushed out a more poetic response.
This challenge highlights that while both models are capable of responding to a given prompt, chatGPT may have the edge in the poetic and creative writing domains. The future of AI integration in the writing industry remains promising, and as technology evolves, so too will the abilities of AI language models to generate creative content.
2. Impersonate Donald Trump
In terms of impersonating real people, one fear with AI is how well it can mimic a voice or style of speaking. In a test of their abilities, both ChatGPT and Google Bard were asked to write an essay in the voice of former US President Donald Trump about the topic of flowers. Bard’s response was the standout winner with its uncanny ability to capture Trump’s way of speaking, using phrases like “folks” and referring to American flowers as the best. On the other hand, ChatGPT’s response felt like a pale imitation, using more generic descriptive language without nailing Trump’s distinctive speech pattern.
This challenge highlights the current limitations of AI in replicating a human’s voice or way of speaking, although the technology is rapidly evolving. So you may see further advancements in the field in the future.
3. Break down a complex topic for a kid
When it comes to explaining complicated topics to children, both Bard and ChatGPT have shown the ability to break down information in a way that is easily understood. In our test, the chatbots were asked to explain what happens when two neutron stars collide to a 10-year-old. Bard provided a straightforward answer using technical terms, assuming a base level of knowledge. On the other hand, ChatGPT’s use of the metaphor of two marbles spinning in space helped to simplify the complex process for a young audience. Also, it explained what neutron stars were before going into detail about the collision.
That’s why ChatGPT’s response was more engaging and informative, making it the clear winner in this challenge. It’s safe to say that these experiments demonstrate the potential of AI in educating and inspiring a younger audience.
4. Code a website for a fictitious firm
When it comes to coding a website, both ChatGPT and Google Bard are useful chatbots. Using ChatGPT as a coding companion has become popular, and we tested both chatbots.
While ChatGPT provided relevant HTML and CSS code for a made-up cat food company website, it kept crashing before completing the task. Bard, on the other hand, delivered the HTML code quickly but struggled with CSS. And, neither could source an image. In the end, ChatGPT provided a superior homepage with a navigation bar and hero image with text overlay.
Which chatbot is better?
It’s difficult to determine which chatbot is better, as both ChatGPT and Google Bard are in early training days. ChatGPT excels at text generation and summarization while Bard offers relevant information when answering questions. Feedback from users shapes their training.
ChatGPT edges out Bard in the challenges. However, Bard has an edge when it comes to accessing up-to-date information through its Google search option. ChatGPT offers free and paid tiers, but it can be slower during peak hours. While Bard is a decent alternative, ChatGPT is still the more powerful and accessible AI chatbot to try first.
Generative AI alternatives
ChatGPT and Google Bard aside, there are other AI content generators available. Various startups, including ChatSonic, Jasper, Open Assistant, and Wordtune, have been experimenting with their projects. In addition, China’s search engine Baidu uses AI with an application called Ernie Bot. These technologies represent an increasing trend toward the development of Generative AI for various applications.
The future of AI in marketing looks bright with continuous improvements in the field of Generative AI. Emerging AI applications beyond content generation include customer service, email optimization, product recommendations, and social media posts, among others. As AI technologies continue to evolve, it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll transform the marketing landscape in the years to come.
