Google is enhancing Google Assistant with AI capabilities from its chatbot Bard. This empowers the virtual assistant to interpret images and utilize data from documents and emails effectively.
Google Assistant Has Received a Much Awaited Upgrade in Generative AI Capabilities
In May, Google made significant strides in the realm of generative AI to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT. They integrated AI text-generation into their renowned search engine, showcased an AI-tailored version of the Android operating system, and introduced their chatbot, Bard. However, Google Assistant, their response to Siri and Alexa, didn’t receive a generative AI upgrade.
Today, during Google’s Pixel hardware event in New York, Sissie Hsiao, Google’s vice president and general manager for Google Assistant, introduced an upgraded version of the AI helper, combining Google Assistant and Bard.
Hsiao states that Google sees this new “multimodal” assistant as a tool that does more than voice queries. It can understand images and handle various tasks from your to-do list, such as planning trips, summarizing your inbox, or creating social media captions for pictures.
The new generative AI experience is in its early stages of rollout, to the extent that Hsiao mentioned it doesn’t even qualify as an “app” at this point. When questioned about how it might appear on someone’s phone, company representatives didn’t provide a clear picture of its final form. It’s possible that Google rushed the announcement to align with its hardware event.
In whatever form it appears, the Bard-enhanced Google Assistant will utilize generative AI to process text, voice, or image queries and respond in text or voice. It’s currently limited to approved users for an unspecified duration, available exclusively on mobile devices (not smart speakers), and requires users to opt in. On Android, it may function as a full-screen app or an overlay, similar to the current Google Assistant setup. On iOS, it’s expected to be integrated into one of Google’s apps.
Google Assistant is Upgraded With AI Capabilities
In whatever form it appears, the Bard-enhanced Google Assistant will utilize generative AI to process text, voice, or image queries and respond in text or voice. It’s currently limited to approved users for an unspecified duration, available exclusively on mobile devices (not smart speakers), and requires users to opt in. On Android, it may function as a full-screen app or an overlay, similar to the current Google Assistant setup. On iOS, it’s expected to be integrated into one of Google’s apps.
Regarding Google specifically, incorporating generative AI into its virtual assistant prompts questions about when the search giant will begin implementing large language models in more of its products. This shift could potentially alter the functionality of some of these products and affect Google’s monetization strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Recent Upgrade to Google Assistant?
Google Assistant has received a significant upgrade in its generative AI capabilities.
What Does this Upgrade Entail?
It enables Google Assistant to better understand and respond to text, voice, and image queries using advanced generative AI.
How Will This Upgrade Impact Google Assistant’s Performance?
This upgrade enhances Google Assistant’s ability to handle a wider range of queries and tasks, making it more versatile and capable.
