Kicking off its 2023 I/O developer conference strong, Google has announced many enhancements and new additions across its varied tech lineup.
The most prominent of all is the firm's latest push into artificial intelligence with its PaLM 2 large language model, explaining how its integration into all things Google will reshape how consumers approach the brand (as well as their daily searched content).
As with most conversations, AI appears to be the leading player, as Google's Cloud chief Thomas Kurian explained how partners, like Wendy's, can benefit from the company's AI tools. Coming this summer to a Wendy's in Columbus, Ohio, Google's PaLM 2 will help customers with their orders to speed up the process of fast food pickup.
Beyond this, Google also showed off how its Duet AI, a chatbot under Google Cloud, which will be able to help answer questions so users don't have to go looking for results elsewhere. It's almost akin to a GitHub Copilot, an AI-lead product that similarly aids users with code-based queries.
Additionally, the firm notes that soon, Duet might be able to suggest new cloud services, test infrastructure, help with advanced coding, and indicate that code be moved across cloud regions for monetary enhancement.
Richard Seroter, Google Cloud's director of relations and outbound product management, explains that PaLM 2's leverages a host of Google's infrastructure for its competence, including YouTube transcripts and podcasts, cloud documentation, and even sample code.
Even more AI breakthroughs are highlighted in the company's Converse product. This generative AI tool will be able to give answers to complex questions, exemplified by Google with a rather long sentence asking whether Bryce Canyon or Arches National Parks is a better place to bring kids and a dog.
The result is much akin to what ChatGPT users might expect, with detailed reasons spread amongst both possibilities and no definitive answer given aside from one of preference on the part of the asker.
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Converse is itself going to be included in a new initiative Google is calling Search Generative Experience (SGE), wherein experimental generative AI will come to help shape the way we approach everyday search results.
The Converse product will only be available to Search Labs users. It will also include a follow-up option, or "conversational mode," allowing users to dive deeper into their queries and topics with the chatbot.
Google Workspace is getting juiced up with AI, as well, with Google's PaLM 2 allowing users to generate entire spreadsheets and even documents on the fly.
The company gave several examples, like job description writing for online ads and new Google Docs writing features for sales pitches and essays, allowing users to save time.
Bard is also being upgraded, with a wider user base that is slowly gaining in users. Google is keeping up with AI regulation by allotting access on its own time so that limitations and potential contrivances might be stamped out before the product makes a major debut.
The enhancements Bard will see thanks to PaLM 2 will be the inclusion of images in responses and new language responses (including English, Japanese, and Korean).
Google highlights that Bard will one day be capable of integrating with all things Google, helping users to bring information across products like Gmail, Docs, and more into certain conversations with the chatbot.
It will also have the capability to aid with third-party software, like Adobe, and will have big-name collaborations in the form of Uber Eats, ZipRecuiter, Spotify, Walmart, and more.
Google also showed off tangible products like its Pixel 7A, a $499 smartphone that is available today, May 10th, 2023. The phone boasts 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, and a Tensor G2 chip that will help the device take on rivals like OnePlus and Samsung.
The firm also showed off its $499 Pixel Tablet, which will finally debut next month, with preorders going live today, as well. As VP of Product Rose Yao displayed during the event, the Tablet will be able to act as a smart home hub when it's docked.
Android is getting several updates, as well, including an AI-powered wallpaper feature and special alerts if an unknown tracker is planted on or near your person.
Hopefully, this will never have to go off for you, but it's an interesting new addition that seems to be throwing shade Apple's way in regards to the rival's AirTags products, which came under fire for their misuse.
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