What is Google Bard? ChatGPT’s New Rival in Conversational AI

Discover how Google Bard, the new Conversation AI navigates through GDPR compliance challenges to ensure data protection.

In this world of artificial intelligence, conversational AI chatbots have taken center stage, transforming the way we interact with technology. Among these innovative chatbots, two prominent contenders are Google Bard and ChatGPT. While both these AI systems are designed to generate text and answer questions, they possess distinct features and functionalities. Let’s dive into Google Bard and how it navigates through GDPR compliance challenges.

What is Google Bard?

Google Bard is a new conversational AI chatbot that’s similar to its rival ChatGPT with its own unique twist. It’s an advanced AI assistant developed by Google, geared to generate text for all sorts of purposes. 

While it hasn't replaced Google Assistant officially, Google Bard is proven to be a far more powerful AI Assistant. Similar to OpenAI's GPT-3.5, the model powering ChatGPT, Google has developed its own Large Language Model known as LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications). LaMDA has been trained on a vast dataset containing numerous parameters, allowing the AI to independently understand and process natural language. Therefore, Bard can now tap into the latest information and even perform direct internet searches.

What is Google Bard used for?

Much like ChatGPT, Google Bard proves to be an invaluable resource, serving as a brainstorming and collaborative tool that allows users to craft essays, articles, emails, stories, and even poems. Google has also taken Bard to new heights recently by enhancing its capabilities to aid in coding and debugging tasks. However, although Bard's text output is remarkable, Google advises users to consider the tool as a starting point rather than a final product, as the company continues to improve its AI chatbot.

Is Google Bard GDPR Compliant

Despite its global availability in 230 countries and territories, Google Bard has faced significant challenges in gaining access to European markets compared to its rival Chatgpt, which takes prompt measures to address and overcome GDPR breaches. According to DW, Italy's data protection authority, said ChatGPT has been reinstated "with enhanced transparency and rights for European users." The shared compliance struggles of both ChatGPT and Google Bard highlight the rigorous demands and pressures that AI services encounter when entering the notably strict EU market.

Recently, Google has addressed privacy concerns and refined Bard's privacy measures to comply with the EU's data protection laws. After providing the requested information to the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), Bard was cleared for release in the EU. However, Google was warned by the DPC to maintain ongoing monitoring of Bard's usage and to guarantee its compliance with the EU’s data protection laws.

In a July blog post by Google, specific details about how they addressed regulatory concerns in the EU were not provided. TechCrunch claims to have engaged with tech experts on the subject and a spokeswoman highlighted that Google has taken steps to limit access to Bard, making it available only to users aged 18+ with a Google Account. The introduction of the Bard Privacy Hub allows users to review and understand the available privacy controls more easily. More information on TechCrunch's report about Bard's compliance here. 

Additionally, even though Google Bard as a product has been cleared in the EU, the concrete use of the tool could not be compatible with the GDPR, depending on the type of personal data processed and the purposes pursued. For a detailed review of whether or not the use of Google Bard for a specific task is compatible with the GDPR, please consult your data protection officer or with our Data Protection Officers at heyData. 

Google Bard Limitations and Controversies

In contrast to ChatGPT, Google Bard has the advantage of accessing the entire internet to reference current events and context. However, its information isn't always entirely accurate, as many have claimed that it can be prone to “hallucinations”, providing false or unsupported information and making claims it can't back up. According to Zapier, Bard had confidently claimed that it can generate images and create collages, even though it wasn't built with that function in mind.

Another drawback lies in its writing skills, as often results in content that may not be as polished as expected, and resembles Wikipedia entries. When asked to provide sources, Bard may forget or decline, creating challenges for researchers trying to verify the information. Therefore, it is crucial for users to approach Google Bard with caution. 

Why was the launch of Google Bard postponed in the EU?

The release of Google Bard in the European Union has been delayed due to privacy concerns raised by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), Google's main data regulator in the EU under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to Politico, the DPC stated that Google provided insufficient information about how Bard safeguards Europeans' privacy, which has hindered the EU launch. Despite Google's intention to launch Bard in the EU, the DPC had not received a detailed briefing, data protection impact assessment, or supporting documentation regarding the AI chatbot's privacy compliance.

However, Google's Senior Director of Product, Jack Krawczyk, provided reassurance that the company has proactively collaborated with experts, policymakers, and regulatory authorities throughout the expansion to address any issues and safeguard user data. As a result, Google Bard is now available in Germany and the European Union as of today.

Is Google Bard Better than ChatGPT?

Google Bard and ChatGPT both use similar natural language models and machine learning to run their chatbots yet they also have their differences. As reported by Digital Trends, ChatGPT is entirely based on data that was mostly collected up until 2021, whereas Google Bard has the potential to use up-to-date information for its responses and can freely search the internet when asked. 

Bard's integration with the internet allows users to click the “Google it” button for related searches, enhancing its usefulness for information retrieval. However, ChatGPT has a major focus on conversational questions and answers, making it especially good at creative tasks. Learn more about how you can use ChatGPT safely. 

Google also acknowledges that ChatGPT has greater potential to answer more questions in natural language at the moment. Additionally, according to a report from The Information, there are claims that Google Bard was trained using ChatGPT data without proper permission, although Google has denied these allegations. 

Conclusion

Google Bard is a strong conversational AI chatbot with excellent text generation abilities and unique integration with the internet, while distinct from its contender, ChatGPT. Despite its occasional inaccuracies that warrant a cautious approach, its ability to access real-time information and assist users in various tasks proves to be a valuable resource. With that said, Google's commitment to addressing GDPR compliance concerns ensures data protection, making Bard a promising addition to the world of conversational AI chatbots.

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