ChatGPT, Bing Chat and Bard are three AI chatbots that can generate natural language responses to user prompts. They are based on large language models (LLMs) that have been trained on massive amounts of text data from the internet. However, they also have some distinct features and capabilities that set them apart. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these three chatbots in terms of their origin, purpose, functionality and limitations.
Origin
- ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, a research organization dedicated to creating and ensuring the safe and beneficial use of artificial intelligence. ChatGPT is a sibling model to InstructGPT, which is trained to follow an instruction in a prompt and provide a detailed response. ChatGPT is fine-tuned from a model in the GPT-3.5 series, which finished training in early 20221.
- Bing Chat is an AI chatbot developed by Microsoft, a technology company that offers various products and services such as Windows, Office, Azure and Xbox. Bing Chat is an integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft’s search engine Bing. Bing Chat is essentially Microsoft’s flavor of ChatGPT, with some additional features and functionalities2.
- Bard is an AI chatbot developed by Google, a technology company that offers various products and services such as Google Search, Gmail, YouTube and Google Cloud. Bard is powered by a research large language model (LLM), specifically a lightweight and optimized version of LaMDA, Google’s conversational AI system. Bard is designed to let users collaborate with generative AI and boost their productivity, creativity and curiosity3.
Purpose
- ChatGPT’s purpose is to interact with users in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests. ChatGPT can also generate creative writing pieces on any topic1.
- Bing Chat’s purpose is to provide users with comprehensive answers to complex questions. With the new Bing built into the Microsoft Edge sidebar, users can ask questions and get complete answers side-by-side with their screen. Bing Chat can also perform searches and answers in relation to the page users are viewing4.
- Bard’s purpose is to help users brainstorm ideas, get tips, explain concepts or spark their curiosity. Users can use Bard to ask questions or state their concerns clearly and concisely. Bard can also generate text on any topic or outline a blog post3.
Functionality
- ChatGPT’s functionality is based on its natural language processing capabilities. It can understand user prompts and generate human-like text responses using what it has learned from its massive dataset. It can answer questions, converse on a variety of topics, and generate creative writing pieces1.
- Bing Chat’s functionality is based on its integration with Bing’s search engine. It can leverage Bing’s web search results to provide information-rich answers to user queries. It can also use the context of the web page users are viewing to provide relevant answers or suggestions4.
- Bard’s functionality is based on its collaboration with generative AI. It can use its large language model to provide helpful responses to user prompts. It can also give users multiple drafts of its response so they can pick the best starting point for them3.
Limitations
- ChatGPT’s limitations are related to its accuracy and reliability. It sometimes writes plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical answers. It also does not have a source of truth during its reinforcement learning training, which means it can provide inaccurate, misleading or false information while presenting it confidently1.
- Bing Chat’s limitations are related to its availability and compatibility. It is currently only available in the U.S. and the U.K., and only works with the Microsoft Edge web browser or the Bing app on mobile devices. It also requires users to sign in with their Microsoft account to get started4.
- Bard’s limitations are related to its experimental nature and scope. It is still in an early stage of development and testing, which means it may not always work as expected or intended. It also does not have access to all the features and functionalities
(1) Introducing ChatGPT – OpenAI. https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt Accessed 12/05/2023.
(2) ChatGPT – AI Chat Online. https://chatgpt.org/ Accessed 12/05/2023.
(3) ChatGPT explained: everything you need to know about the AI chatbot. https://www.techradar.com/news/chatgpt-explained Accessed 12/05/2023.
(4) ChatGPT: New AI chatbot has everyone talking to it – BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63861322 Accessed 12/05/2023.
(5) Bing Chat – microsoft.com. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/features/bing-chat Accessed 12/05/2023.
(6) Bing Chat: How to Use the AI Chatbot – How-To Geek. https://www.howtogeek.com/882581/bing-chat-how-to-use-the-ai-chatbot/ Accessed 12/05/2023.
(7) 10 Bing Chat AI Features You Should Be Using – How-To Geek. https://www.howtogeek.com/886766/bing-chat-ai-features-you-should-be-using/ Accessed 12/05/2023.
(8) The New Bing – Learn More. https://www.bing.com/new Accessed 12/05/2023.
(9) Bing. https://bing.com/chat Accessed 12/05/2023.
(10) Try Bard, an AI experiment by Google. https://bard.google.com/ Accessed 12/05/2023.
(11) Sign up to try Bard from Google – The Keyword. https://blog.google/technology/ai/try-bard/ Accessed 12/05/2023.
(12) Bard | What is a Bard? | Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids. https://druidry.org/druid-way/what-druidry/what-is-a-bard Accessed 12/05/2023.
(13) Bard – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bard Accessed 12/05/2023.