Google launches ChatGPT rival Bard in EU, Brazil

Google announced Thursday that its AI

chatbot Bard was now available in around 50 more countries, including all 27
EU nations and Brazil, as it expands access to its answer to Microsoft-backed
ChatGPT.

The US tech giant unveiled Bard in February but delayed its release in the
European Union as the bloc plans to regulate artificial intelligence amid
concerns about risks associated with the rapidly growing technology.

Google has raced to catch up with rival Microsoft, which has rushed to
integrate ChatGPT-like powers in a wide array of its products, including the
Bing search engine.

Bard is “now available in most of the world, and in the most widely spoken
languages,” Bard’s product lead Jack Krawczyk and vice president Amarnag
Subramanya wrote in a blog.

“As part of our bold and responsible approach to AI, we’ve proactively
engaged with experts, policymakers and privacy regulators on this expansion,”
they said.

The company said it would incorporate user feedback and take steps to protect
people’s privacy and data as it broadens access to Bard.

The AI tool can now be used in over 40 languages including Arabic, Chinese,
German, Hindi and Spanish. It was previously available in three languages —
English, Japanese and Korean.

Google also announced new features, including receiving audio responses from
Bard or answers in five different styles: simple, long, short, professional
or casual.

Another new feature allows users to upload photos that Bard can analyse for
information.

Last month, the European Parliament backed a draft law that will be the basis
for the world’s first comprehensive rules for AI.

It includes specific provisions for generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT
and Dall-E, capable of producing text, images and other media.

The parliament and the EU’s member states will negotiate on the regulation
before it is approved and the bloc wants to strike a deal by the end of the
year.

The rules stipulate that AI-generated content must be declared as such and
bans some AI including real-time facial recognition systems.

The rise of AI has raised a slew of concerns, including the possibility that
it could make a range of jobs obsolete. (BSS/AFP)