Google has successfully launched its highly anticipated Bard chatbot in the European Union (EU), overcoming initial delays caused by data privacy concerns. Bard, an advanced generative AI chatbot, is now accessible in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi, and Spanish, catering to a diverse user base across the EU and Brazil.
Positioned as a direct competitor to Microsoft’s ChatGPT, Bard leverages large language models (LLMs) to generate dynamic content from simple prompts. The latter is a creation of OpenAI, an AI company backed significantly by Google’s arch-rival, Microsoft.
Google has introduced a host of innovative features to enhance the functionality of Bard. Users now have the flexibility to customize the tone and style of Bard’s responses with five distinct options: “simple,” “long,” “short,” “professional,” or “casual.” Additionally, a new text-to-speech AI feature enables Bard to vocalize its responses, empowering users to listen to its answers. By clicking the sound icon adjacent to a prompt, users can access Bard’s audible responses, further enhancing the interactive experience.
The launch of Bard in the EU encountered obstacles as the region’s primary data regulator, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), raised concerns about privacy safeguards. The DPC contended that Google had not furnished adequate information about how its generative AI tool preserves the privacy of European users, thereby delaying Bard’s introduction in the EU. However, with today’s successful launch, it appears that Google has addressed the DPC’s requirements, ensuring compliance and instilling user confidence.
Bard’s expansion into the EU and Brazil signifies a significant milestone for the chatbot, intensifying the rivalry with Microsoft’s ChatGPT. With its remarkable ability to generate responses in over 40 languages and the introduction of innovative features, Bard is poised to become an indispensable tool for users within these regions, catering to their diverse needs and preferences.
