Google's Bard AI Chatbot Gets New Features: Spoken Responses and Image Recognition

 

Google's Bard AI chatbot has received an update, offering users the ability to hear spoken responses and interact with prompts that include images. The chatbot, previously available only in the US and UK, has now expanded its reach to many countries, including the European Union (EU).

In a recent blog post, Google emphasized the usefulness of Bard's spoken responses, allowing users to correct their pronunciation, listen to poems, or rehearse scripts. By entering a prompt and selecting the sound icon, users can now access spoken responses in over 40 languages, which are already live.

The addition of image recognition to prompts was first showcased by Google during its I/O conference in May. For instance, users can now seek assistance in crafting a humorous caption for a picture of two dogs. This feature is currently available in English and will soon be introduced in other languages.

Aside from these updates, Google has introduced several other features to enhance the user experience. Users can now pin and rename conversations, share responses with friends, and even customize the tone and style of Bard's replies.

Jennifer Rodstrom, a Google spokesperson, revealed that the chatbot's availability has expanded significantly since its initial launch in March. In addition to the US and UK, Bard is now accessible in all countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Brazil. This expansion into the EU marks a notable milestone, considering the delay caused by privacy concerns.

Google continues to enhance Bard's capabilities, enabling users worldwide to enjoy a more interactive and versatile chatbot experience.