Google’s generative AI chatbot, Bard, is now available in the European Union (EU) and supports more than 40 languages. This launch follows an initial delay due to data privacy concerns. Alongside the expansion, Google has introduced new features to Bard, including the ability to customize the tone and style of responses, vocalize responses with text-to-speech AI, export code to Replit, analyze images, and more.
Bard was initially released in the U.S. and U.K. in March, with a global rollout in May. However, the EU launch was postponed due to privacy concerns raised by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). Google has since addressed these concerns and engaged with experts and regulators to ensure compliance.
The latest update is Google’s largest expansion of Bard, with support for Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, German, Hindi, and availability in Brazil. The chatbot’s responses can now be fine-tuned according to different tones and styles, and users can access audible responses by clicking the sound icon. Bard’s productivity features include exporting Python code to Replit, analyzing images, pinning and renaming conversations, and easy sharing through links.
Despite initial challenges and criticism, Google claims that Bard has made significant improvements, particularly in areas like math and programming. It has gained extensions and the ability to explain code, structure data, and display images in responses.
However, recent reports have shed light on the working conditions of contractors who train Bard, raising concerns about low pay and limited training. Google continues to address these issues as it strives to enhance the performance and capabilities of Bard.
Overall, Bard aims to foster curiosity, imagination, and creativity by assisting users in exploring their ideas and providing support in various domains.
