Google Expands Bard AI Chatbot Access to Teenagers, Emphasizing Learning Tools

Google launched its Bard AI chatbot to the public in March, aiming to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Initially, Bard was accessible via a waitlist in the US and the UK, but it later expanded to 180 countries, including India, during Google's I/O conference in May.

Since its launch, Bard has evolved, adding new features and language support in diverse regions. Now, Google is extending Bard's accessibility to teenagers worldwide.

Teenage Access Expansion

In a recent blog post, Google announced the availability of Bard to teenagers across most countries globally. Tulsee Doshi, Head of Product for Responsible AI, highlighted, "Teens meeting the minimum age requirement to manage their own Google Account will access Bard in English, with additional languages to follow."

Bard as a Learning Tool for Young Users

Google positions Bard as a beneficial tool for younger users, emphasizing its utility in schoolwork, university applications, hobbies, and learning activities. Bard aids in science projects, historical exploration, and even provides step-by-step math solutions. The chatbot now offers data visualization tools, assisting students in creating charts and tables.

Responsible AI Use and Safety

Amid AI integration concerns, Google asserts its commitment to responsible AI use, especially for younger users. The company consulted child safety experts to ensure Bard's safety for teens. An AI Literacy Guide and a safety-focused video aid teens in responsibly using generative AI.

Bard's Recent Updates and Competition

Bard underwent enhancements, including fact-checking abilities and leveraging users' Google data. The chatbot can import data from Google Drive or Gmail through Bard Extensions. Google continues collaborating with partners to integrate applications into Bard. Additionally, Bard now admits uncertainty when providing responses.

Popularity and User Engagement

While expanding access, Bard trails ChatGPT in popularity. In August, Bard recorded 183 million visits, 13% of ChatGPT's visits, according to Similarweb. ChatGPT remains a frontrunner with 100 million weekly users.

Addressing Hallucinations and Popularity Gap

• Bard acknowledges its susceptibility to generating inaccurate responses

• The new update enables the chatbot to admit uncertainty in its answers

• Bard continues to expand access but faces a popularity challenge from ChatGPT

• In August, Bard recorded 183 million visits, while ChatGPT received 13 times that number

Conclusion

Google's expansion of Bard AI chatbot access to teenagers reflects the company's commitment to providing educational tools to younger users. Bard's interactive learning features, emphasis on responsible AI usage, and recent updates position it as a valuable resource for students and curious minds.

While Bard still trails ChatGPT in popularity, its continuous development and expanding reach suggest a promising future in the AI chatbot landscape.