Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: A Comparison

In a surprising development, Microsoft unveiled Bing Chat in early 2023, entering the AI chatbot landscape and posing a challenge to Google. Google responded swiftly with its Bard AI chatbot, creating a direct rivalry. Despite initial controversies, both present noteworthy features and potential enhancements over ChatGPT. But which one is the better choice? Let’s delve into their distinctions.

What is Bing Chat?

In February 2023, Bing introduced a novel feature to its search engine – Bing Chat. This innovative addition allows users to engage in conversations with its AI chatbot instead of traditional search queries. This conversational system not only marks a significant leap for Bing but also positions Microsoft ahead of Google, a company known for its typical supremacy in the online search market.

What is Google Bard?

In response to the accomplishments of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google has introduced its own AI chatbot called Bard. Bard represents Google’s foray into the realm of experimental conversational AI services. Much like ChatGPT, Bard aims to provide users with a chat-based AI experience, albeit with a distinctive approach—Google’s service draws its information directly from the web. As is typical of most AI chatbots, Bard possesses the ability to assist with coding, tackle mathematical inquiries, and offer support for various writing tasks.

Quick Summary Bing Chat vs. Google Bard

• Bing Chat utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4, an advanced iteration beyond ChatGPT, while Bard relies on Google’s PaLM 2 language model.
• Bard offers three response drafts for selection, while Bing Chat allows for response refinement upon request.
• Bing Chat offers three chat modes (Creative, Balanced, and Precise), a feature absent in Bard. In Creative mode, Bing Chat provides extensive responses suitable for essays, poems, and stories, while in Balanced and Precise modes, it delivers quick, factual responses. Bard excels at answering questions.
• Bing Chat can create AI-generated images, whereas Bard can only retrieve images from the internet.
• Bing Chat is available on various platforms, including mobile apps, the Edge Browser, and Skype.
• Both support major languages, but Bing Chat handles requests in obscure languages more effectively.
• In initial real-world tasks, Bard faced challenges compared to Bing Chat.

Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Accuracy and Technical Details

In contrast to ChatGPT, which can access internet data only up to September 2021, both Bard and Bing Chat can retrieve up-to-date internet information. However, Bing Chat goes a step further by providing diverse conversation styles, enhancing its adaptability for different tasks.

Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Technical Differences

In fact, Bing Chat and Bard operate on entirely distinct platforms. Bing Chat relies on OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model, which is considered more advanced than ChatGPT, thanks to Microsoft’s substantial $10 billion investment in OpenAI. Initially, Google equipped Bard with LaMDA, an in-house developed language model. However, as of May 2023, Bard has transitioned to the PaLM 2 model, which is believed to be more capable. While GPT-4 boasts more parameters, the quality of the model is equally significant.

Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Language Support, Image Generation, Coding

In terms of language support, it would be difficult to prefer one over another. Bard has progressed from supporting English only to the current ability to understand and reply in over 40 languages. Bing Chat, meanwhile, is limitless in language support and can also understand some fringe dialects. Bing Chat also has an additional advantage over Bard. It can generate images but not as proficiently as specialized tools. For coding tasks, Bing Chat performs better due to model differences.

Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Usage and Accessibility

Both can be accessed for free through Google or Microsoft accounts. Bing Chat provides a wider range of platform choices, even supporting voice conversations, enhancing its convenience and accessibility. In contrast, Bard has limited public availability, mainly via a website.

Which is Better – Bing or Bard?

In conclusion, Bing Chat’s versatility and accessibility surpass Google Bard, making it the preferred choice for various tasks across different platforms.

What’s Next for Bing Chat?

Bing Chat is continually evolving to offer more functionality and features for its users. Here’s a glimpse of some upcoming enhancements:

Multimodal Support: In the near future, Bing Chat will expand its capabilities to handle not just text but also voice and image inputs. This enhancement will enable users to interact with Bing Chat in a more natural and convenient manner. For instance, users will have the option to verbally pose queries or upload images for Bing Chat to identify or describe.

Persistent Chats within Edge: Bing Chat will be seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Edge, the user-centric web browser. Users can access Bing Chat from the sidebar of Edge and maintain persistent chat sessions across various tabs and websites. This ensures that users can continue their conversations with Bing Chat without losing context or needing to switch between windows.

Bing Chat Enterprise: Bing Chat Enterprise is a novel offering designed for organizations seeking AI-powered chat solutions with robust commercial data protection. It safeguards user and business data, preventing data leaks outside the organization. Importantly, chat data isn’t stored, and Microsoft does not have access to view your data or use it for model training. Bing Chat Enterprise is initially available in preview and is included at no additional cost in Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium. It will also be offered as a standalone option for $5 per user per month in the future. Users can access Bing Chat Enterprise with their work accounts wherever Bing Chat is supported, including Bing.com/chat and the Microsoft Edge sidebar. Additionally, it will be accessible from Windows Copilot in the future. Microsoft 365 Copilot combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet.

These exciting developments are on the horizon for Bing Chat, enhancing its utility and versatility. Bing Chat aims to provide valuable assistance for your search and discovery needs while prioritizing user feedback and support.