Alec Boere, Associate Partner for AI and Automation, Europe at Infosys Consulting: 

Google launching ChatGPT rival Bard highlights just how widespread this technology is going to become. It’s a new way to have all the information at your fingertips, and it’s here to stay – much like the impact of the first wave of Google search. In fact, it appears that Bard will replace the Google Search rankings in the long term.

It’ll be interesting to see whether operating costs are lower for Google. The cost of ChatGPT’s search is more expensive than a typical Google search because of the processing power that sits behind it. However, Google’s Bard is set to initially operate on a lightweight version LaMDa, which will require less power so that more people can use it (scale), whilst ChatGPT relies on GPT-3.5. Bard will have the advantage in terms of reach, access to information and the type of media it offers, plus ChatGPT is often over-capacity. ChatGPT has more than 100 million users, Google has one billion daily active users.

Bard may be a rival to ChatGPT after it launches to the wider public in the coming weeks – but the two will likely become companions to many in the future. The technology is drastically accelerating the ability to mimic human conversation. It could in time become our own ‘personal AI’, understanding what users want, and what options are available to them – becoming a bit like financial advisors, or holiday diary planners, for example. It’s all about helping people become more effective and efficient with their time. Even with Bard joining the fold, we’re only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the potential of this AI.”

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