Ah, the browser wars. There was a skirmish in the 90s, much tussling in 00s, but ultimately Google was crowned winner. As in, “I’ll google it.”
Now there’s a new battle being waged for the hearts and clicks of web users. And both Google and Microsoft are taking the stance that the pen is mightier than the sword – arming themselves with AI language models intended to answer the more challenging, complex and, dare we say, philosophical questions.
Microsoft Bing gets chatty
Powered by ChatGPT, the new Bing promises better search results, more comprehensive answers and a snazzy new chat experience.
But they also promise to deliver “a creative spark,” pushing results beyond just finding to creating and communicating as well.
Google gets poetic with Bard
Powered by Google’s own LaMDA, Bard also aims to elevate search queries from the factual to the thought provoking.
They describe it as the difference between “how many keys does a piano have” and “is the piano or guitar easier to learn?” One is a simple answer: 88. The other, worthy of discussion and debate.
So what’s the surprising new weapon, you ask?
Simply put, it’s language. But, more importantly, the power and possibility therein.