Google is testing a ChatGPT-like chatbot “Apprentice Bard” with employees

Google is testing new AI-powered chat products that will likely influence future public product launches. It includes a new chatbot and a possible way to integrate it into a search engine.

the the alphabet The company is working on a project within its cloud unit called Atlas, which is a “code red” effort to respond to chatthe big-language chatbot that thrilled the crowd when it went public late last year.

Google is also testing a chatbot called “Apprentice Bard,” where employees can ask questions and receive detailed answers similar to ChatGPT. Another product unit tested a new search desktop design that can be used in a question and answer form.

Leaders have been asking more employees for feedback on efforts in recent weeks. CNBC viewed the internal documents and spoke with sources about the efforts currently underway.

Product tests come after a file comprehensive meeting Employees have raised concerns about the company’s competitive advantage in AI, given the sudden popularity of ChatGPT, which was launched by OpenAI, a San Francisco-based startup it backs. Microsoft.

Google’s head of AI, Jeff Dean, told employees at the time that the company had a much greater “reputational risk” in providing false information and was therefore moving “more conservatively than a small startup.” However, he and CEO Sundar Pichai teased at the time that Google might launch similar products to the public sometime this year. Web search is Google’s main business, and the company has long described itself as a leader in artificial intelligence.

Cool apprentice replacement Meena, which is an earlier version of an intelligent chatbot that was launched internally but was later discontinued. Staff have noticed that Bard’s intern responses have become more advanced in recent weeks.

In one internally circulated example, a tester asked Bard’s intern if there was another round of layoffs at Google. company laid off – laid off temporarily 12,000 employees, 6% of its workforce, earlier this month.

“According to my database access, Google is unlikely to conduct another round of layoffs in 2023,” the response read. Layoffs are generally done to reduce costs and structure, but the company is doing well financially. In fact, Google’s revenue increased 34% in 2021, and the company’s share price is up 70% since January 2022.”

The company is also testing an alternative search page that could use a question-and-answer format, according to designs seen by CNBC.

One view showed the main search page offering five different possible question prompts placed directly below the main search bar, replacing the current “I’m feeling lucky” bar. Also show a small chat banner inside the far right of the search bar.

When you enter a question, the search results show a gray bubble just below the search bar, providing answers that are more human-like than typical search results. Just below that, the page suggests several follow-up questions related to the first question. Under that, it displays typical search results, including links and headlines.

It’s not clear just which experiences Google plans to include in future product launches.

“We have always focused on developing and deploying artificial intelligence to improve people’s lives,” said a Google spokesperson. “We believe AI is a foundational and transformative technology that is incredibly beneficial to individuals, businesses, and societies, and as our AI Principles make clear, we need to consider the broader societal impacts these innovations can have. We continue to test our AI technology internally in order to make sure It is useful and safe, and we look forward to sharing more experiences abroad soon.”