- Bing Chat is an AI chatbot that combines OpenAI ChatGPT with the Bing Search engine through the Prometheus model to produce responses in a natural language conversational format with citations and support for search results, images, and videos.
- On the other hand, Google Bard is a chatbot that uses the natural language model developed by Google and machine learning to produce natural conversational responses only using text without offering citations to verify the information or any kind of search results.
Microsoft’s Bing Chat AI and Google’s new Bard AI experience are the two front-runners in the fiercely competitive field of AI chatbots. Although this article compares Bing Chat and Google Bard, we could also include OpenAI with ChatGPT.
Simply put, chatbots are programs created to comprehend natural language and mimic human-like dialogues. Although they provide different experiences, Bing Chat and Google Bard were developed using comparable learning model methodologies.
Since it is up to the user to determine which of these two AI technologies is superior, you will learn about their distinctions from the perspective of experience as well as a brief overview of their question-answering behaviors in this tutorial.
Bing Chat vs. Google Bard
Although Bing Chat and Bard are technically identical technologies, they train, comprehend, and react to user queries using different language models.
Chat and Bard AI models
The OpenAI-developed ChatGPT (version 4) serves as the foundation for Bing Chat AI. It analyzes and provides responses using the Large Language Model (LLM) in a conversational style, just like you would while speaking with a human. However, Microsoft also incorporates the technology into its Prometheus platform, which allows the chatbot to connect to the search engine and produce quicker and more accurate responses for any topic, including current events, so ChatGPT is only one half of the picture.
Bard, on the other hand, analyzes massive text datasets using Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) and machine learning technology to forecast the word that will follow the previous one. This gives the AI the ability to provide responses that are comparable to those of a human.
One of the main distinctions between Google Bard and Bing Chat is that the latter uses direct question answering, whereas Chat is slated to be a new search extension.
Chat and Bard user experience
Google Bard and Bing Chat offer both comparable and distinct user experiences. A prompt box, a rest option, and a discussion style change option are the three primary components of the simple interface that appears when you launch Bing Chat.
Because Balanced is the default discussion style, Bing can react more impartially—that is, it will attempt to avoid taking sides on a particular issue. You can, however, alter the tone to either Precise, which will provide the most precise response with more facts, or Creative, which will produce more humorous and unique responses.
You can write and submit your questions in the prompt (or Ask me anything) box. There is a 2000 character limit on the box.
You can ask several questions on the same subject because the chatbot understands the context. The New topic button is there to reset the chat, though, because Bing Chat can become confused over time.
Microsoft is restricting both the amount of questions each session and the number of sessions per day during the preview trial. As of this writing, you have the ability to make up to 200 sessions every day and ask up to 20 questions per session.
Although the UI of Google Bard appears to be identical at first, you will soon find that it is different. A question box and a left navigation pane with options to reset the chat and access the activity history are the two primary components of Bard’s simple UI.
Unlike Chat, there is no character limit on the prompt box, which is where you write and submit your questions.
To end the conversation and begin over, utilize the Reset chat option in the left navigation window. Although Google doesn’t state clearly that you must restart the conversation, it’s a good idea to steer clear of inappropriate comments or behaviors when switching topics.
Google and Microsoft capture and store the search intent in your search history, but they do not save the questions you put in the prompt box. Google labels it “Bard Activity,” whereas Bing calls it “Search History.”
You can remove this information from your account if privacy is an issue for you. These are the steps for Google Bard and the directions for Bing Chat.
Upon submitting a query, Bing Chat will display the process’s progress and begin typing the response as though a human were writing it from the other side.
Google Bard, on the other hand, doesn’t display any background activity. Rather, the result will show up once you notice the Bard (two sparkles) emblem spinning, which indicates that the chatbot is contemplating.
You will observe certain distinctions between Bing Chat AI’s response and Bard’s as you receive it. For example, citations with links to the information’s original source are included in chat responses. A flyout containing further links that the chatbot utilized to create the response will show up if you hover over the various answer fragments.
Additionally, a footnote listing all of the sources used in the response will be visible to you.
You can access the Shareexperience, which enables you to copy and distribute a persistent link to the precise response, after you have verified the information in the response. Google Bard is unable to achieve this.
Additionally, you may use Bing Chat’s suggested follow-up questions to hone your search.
It will be a completely different experience on a Google Bard answer. For instance, responses are just words with no links or sources to support the information. Google claims that Bard doesn’t need to source the content because it generates replies based on the knowledge it has gained from the internet and its language model. However, if the chatbot references a section of a webpage, you will see a citation.
The View other drafts option, which lets you select different versions of the response and swiftly move between them, is one special feature of Google Bard that isn’t available in Bing Chat. You can choose to view the response in bullet points from the drafts, which will be useful if you ask a question that displays a paragraph of text.
Additionally, Bard allows you to change the question without having to restart the chat or ask it. Something that Bing Chat does not allow.
The Regerate button, located at the bottom, compels Bard to reconsider and answer the question. This is sometimes necessary to obtain the right response.
The question will be transformed into a standard search query via the Google it button, which will then show up on a Google results page.
Another significant distinction from Bing Chat is the Google it option, which makes it obvious that Google wants you to continue using its search engine. However, because Microsoft is working to reinvent search, you won’t find a comparable option on Bing Chat.
A thumbs up and down button to score the response that aids in system training is present in both encounters.
Additionally, the discussion format varies between the two platforms. The format of Bing Chat is more conversational, similar to messaging someone on the phone.
However, rather than utilizing a conversational chat experience, Google Bard employs a more question-and-answer approach.
Chat and Bard features
As per the comparison between the features, I have already outlined many of them above. However, when it comes to features, Bing Chat seems far ahead of Google Bard.
The market for searches is dominated by Google. As a result, it will make every effort to maintain user interaction with the search engine. This is one of the reasons why comments on Bing Chat don’t include citations.
Additionally, Bing Chat provides the ability to alter the tone of the chat. Even though Bard doesn’t have this option, Chat didn’t have it at first either. However, after many reports of unwanted behaviors using the chatbot for a long time, the company decided to implement some limits, including the option to change the tone style.
One feature that Google Bard still can t match is the ability to useAI to create images. Bing Chat also integrates with theDALL-E model from OpenAI, which allows you to create virtually any image by simply describing what you want using text.
The image creator feature by itself makes Bing Chat far more capable.
Another feature that makes Bing Chat stand out is the ability to share an answer. Since every time you ask a question, you may receive a different answer, the chatbot from Microsoft allows you to create a persistent link to the exact answer. On Google Bard, you can t share a response with other people using a link. Of course, you can always copy and paste to share the content.
One capability that makes Bard different is that you can use it on any web browser on a desktop or mobile. In contrast, you are required to useMicrosoft Edgeor the Bing mobile app to access the Bing Chat experience. However, there s a workaround to accessing thechatbot from any browser.
Chat and Bard answer capabilities
Both chatbots produce good responses when it comes to answering questions, but they both have strengths and weaknesses.
However, Bing seems to be the winner when getting more accurate responses when asking questions requiring more current information. On the other hand, Google Bard is better at generating creative text formats. The new Bing experience is also more reliable, while Bard can be more creative.
For the most part, both chatbots are at the same level in questions that don t require current information, such as those questions that only require matching information.
Whether you use Bing Chat or Google Bard, they both are capable of creating stories, poems, drafts for emails and documents, and other types of content. They both can write programming code, work in different languages, and they offer features to entertain and spark creativity.
The one thing that these two chatbots have in common is that they can (and will) make mistakes and provide inaccurate information. Whether you use Chat or Bard (or any other AI), you should always double-check the answer information.
Overall, both Bing Chat and Google Bard are good AI chatbots. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses. The best chatbot for you will depend on your specific needs.