Is Google Bard better than ChatGPT?

 

Photo by Mojahid Mottakin on Unsplash

Google Bard and ChatGPT are definitely the top two AI Chat Bots out there that have captured people's imagination and how. Both are capable of and extremely good and efficient at generating text, translating languages, writing different kinds of creative content, and answering any questions put to them in an extremely informative and often illuminating way. 

Photo by Mojahid Mottakin on Unsplash

Google Bard derives its power from a research language model (LLM), albeit a lightweight and optimized version of LaMDA. ChatGPT for its part is derived from InstructGPT, which is extremely adept and trained to follow the instruction contained in a prompt and provide a detailed response.

As one can see there are some key differences between the two platforms and their capabilities. Let us look at what these might be-

Data

One of the principal differences between Google Bard and ChatGPT is in terms of their data sources. Google Bard makes use of an "infiniset" of data chosen to improve its dialogue and has access to the internet in real-time. ChatGPT on the other hand deploys a pre-defined set of data that has seen no updating since 2021. This means that Google Bard has access to a wider range of information allowing it to generate more up-to-date responses.

Accuracy

Google Bard and ChatGPT differ in their accuracy as well. Google Bard is more often than not more accurate than ChatGPT, especially when it comes to factual information. This is because Google Bard has access to a wider range of data and is able to process it more efficiently. Besides, ChatGPT requires attention to be paid to how you prompt to generate sufficiently detailed responses.

Creativity

Google Bard and ChatGPT are both capable of generating creative text formats, but Google Bard could perhaps be considered more creative than ChatGPT. This is because Google Bard has access to a wider range of information and is able to process it more creatively. Besides, Bard is designed in a manner, where it is better able to research and understand business, education and a host of other sectors, whereas Chat GPT is largely about text functions. 

Ease of Use

Google Bard and ChatGPT are both quite easy to use, but Google Bard is possibly slightly easier to use than ChatGPT. This is because Google Bard has a more user-friendly interface and is less prone to errors. What's more, you can provide an oral prompt or instruction to Google Bard and it will be able to deliver, which is not something that Chat GPT does. Besides, Google Bard users can also use image prompts or scan images using Google Lens and use it for the same purpose.

Conclusion

With capabilities that are similar to a large extent, it is quite fun to pit Google Bard against ChatGPT using the same prompt and seeing what the two chatbots come up with. Where Google Bard scores big time is that it is able to leverage current information. It also provides a greater volume (more drafts and options) of output faster. Moreover, by enabling oral and image prompts, Google Bard takes convenience to a new level. Above all, Google Bard is fully functional for free, while the better version of ChatGPT, Chat GPT4 costs $20. Even though Google Bard is still in an experimental stage (as the chatbot itself declares), it is already giving ChatGPT (pun intended) a run for its money. As regards, which is the better of the two, the battle for the top spot promises to be a lengthy, hard-fought and engrossing one. 

To put things in perspective, the screenshots below show the response of the two chatbots to the question- "What is likely going to be the global mean temperature on 31st May 2023? Please provide a two-line answer."

Google Bard-

Chat GPT-

That was a tough question to answer, but Google Bard made a sincere attempt to do so in two lines. Chat GPT on its part expressed its inability to answer the question due to valid reasons but did that in much more than the stipulated two lines. Which answer is better? Depends upon your individual perspective. I prefer the first one in this case, but that does not mean I am endorsing one over the other.