Google Expands AI Chatbot Bard’s Reach to Gmail, Maps, and YouTube in a Bid to Outpace Competitors
19-09-2023 : Google is expanding the reach of its AI chatbot, Bard, integrating it into various facets of its digital ecosystem, which includes Gmail, Maps, and YouTube. This move is aimed at countering the competitive challenges posed by similar AI technologies developed by companies like OpenAI and Microsoft.
The enhanced capabilities of Bard, unveiled recently, come in the form of an English-only extension that allows users to grant the chatbot access to their Gmail accounts, enabling it to extract relevant information. It can also utilize Google Maps to provide directions and search for helpful videos on YouTube. Additionally, the extension facilitates Bard’s access to travel information from Google Flights and data stored in Google Drive documents.
Google has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding user privacy during this expansion. The company has ensured that human reviewers will not have access to potentially sensitive data obtained from Gmail or Drive. Moreover, Google has pledged not to use this data as a primary means of generating revenue through personalized ads.
This development is part of an ongoing AI competition fueled by the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot and Microsoft’s efforts to incorporate similar technology into its Bing search engine and Microsoft 365 suite, which includes applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook. The introduction of Bard and the incorporation of conversational AI into Google’s search results were responses to this growing competition.
The decision to bolster Bard’s capabilities with access to more user data and popular services such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube is expected to enhance their utility and encourage greater reliance on them. For example, Google envisions Bard assisting users in planning group trips, offering suitable dates, flight and hotel options, directions, and informative YouTube videos for a comprehensive travel experience.
This expansion comes at a crucial juncture as Google faces significant antitrust scrutiny. The U.S. Justice Department has alleged that Google’s dominant position in the search market has been achieved through anticompetitive practices. Google contends that its search algorithm delivers superior results and emphasizes the competitive landscape in the evolving field of AI. By integrating Bard into more of its services, Google aims to maintain its relevance and usefulness in an increasingly AI-driven world.
