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10 Ways to Maximize Google Bard's AI Capabilities

Table of Contents

Introduction to Google Bard and its AI Model Gemini

Google recently unveiled its new AI chatbot called Bard. Powering Bard is a powerful AI model named Gemini, representing the biggest update the chatbot has seen so far. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 10 ways to maximize Bard now that it leverages Gemini to deliver enhanced capabilities.

Gemini comes in three different versions - Gemini Nano, Gemini Pro, and Gemini Ultra. Currently, Bard runs on Gemini Pro, while Gemini Ultra with more advanced features remains unclear if or when it will be freely available.

What is Google Bard?

Launched in February 2023, Bard aims to provide helpful, high-quality information to users' questions across text, images, and video. It combines external information with Google's knowledge graph and Search index to generate thoughtful responses. Bard represents Google's foray into generative AI, allowing open-ended conversations instead of just search queries. Early tests position it as a potential rival to chatbots like ChatGPT.

Bard's AI Model - Gemini

Gemini refers to the family of AI models developed by Google Brain powering Bard. Built using Google's very own Pathways Language Model, Gemini leverages both unsupervised and supervised learning to digest information from the internet and provide helpful responses. Compared to models like GPT-3.5 and Claude, Gemini aims to deliver more grounded, factual responses by incorporating external knowledge into its training process. This allows Bard to provide references and citations as part of its answers.

Enable Browser Extensions for Enhanced Bard Features

One way to boost Bard's capabilities is by enabling browser extensions. Accessible by clicking the Extensions tab in Bard, these add-ons connect the chatbot to other Google services.

Particularly beneficial are the Google Workspace and YouTube extensions. With Google Workspace integration, Bard can summarize the latest emails and documents in your Drive. The YouTube extension allows Bard to interpret videos, summarizing key points or extracting step-by-step instructions.

Leverage Starter Prompts to Craft Queries

Bard provides starter prompts covering various use cases like naming products or generating marketing emails. These prompts demonstrate how to correctly structure requests to the AI.

For example, the product name starter prompt has fill-in-the-blank sections to specify the product's purpose and target audience. This helps Bard generate on-brand, tailored name recommendations. Studying starter prompts helps you become better at prompting for desired outcomes.

Simplify Complex Topics Using Multiple Response Options

Struggling to comprehend complex subject matter? Bard can re-explain concepts in simpler terms thanks to its multiple response options. After providing an initial answer, Bard allows selecting "Make it more simple" to re-state the information with easier vocabulary and sentence structure.

This allows tailoring responses to your preferred reading level. Other available options include making content more concise or verbose based on needs.

Compare Research Capabilities Against Other AI Assistants

Given access to Google's trove of information, how does Bard's research competence stack up against chatbots like ChatGPT? When asked to explain a concept in simple terms, Bard leveraged an allegorical approach centered around imagination while ChatGPT provided a more technical definition.

However, for follow-up questions like citing sources, Bard occasionally fails to provide additional information versus ChatGPT furnishing helpful references. So while Bard edges out in creativity, there is still room for improvement regarding depth of knowledge.

Generate Personalized Email Copy with Ease

As an AI trained on vast datasets, Bard excels at drafting compelling email copy tailored to your needs. However, its default tone tends to come across as overly promotional. By adding simple instructions like "without using promotional language", you can steer Bard to take a more informational, customer-focused approach.

This results in emails that build trust and rapport with subscribers instead of sounding salesy or inauthentic. Bard smoothly incorporates custom details like your name, company, and product offerings to craft relevant messaging.

Instantly Modify AI Responses by Tone and Length

Fine-tuning Bard's replies to fit specific stylistic requirements can be achieved with one click using its built-in modification options. Want a more professional summary? Select "Make it more formal". Need a condensed version? Choose "Make it more concise."

This allows rapidly iterating to the optimal response without having to re-prompt Bard from scratch each time. The ability to toggle between formal/casual, concise/verbose, or simple/advanced language makes dialing in responses for purpose and audience smooth and fast.

Extract Video Summaries and Step-By-Step Instructions

Capitalizing on Google's ownership of YouTube, Bard can digest both the transcript and visual contents of YouTube videos to satisfy requests. Ask Bard to summarize educational videos to efficiently glean key learnings.

Additionally, for tutorial videos, Bard can extract just the step-by-step instructions to help you skip straight to the how-to portion. This video analysis capability streamlines knowledge absorption from existing footage quickly without having to watch full-length videos.

Access Private Google Workspace Content

Enable Bard's Google Workspace integration to unlock the ability to query emails, documents, spreadsheets, and more directly from your private Google account. Pose questions like "What's the deadline for the project outlined in the document named X?".

Bard will scan the content and provide summations to simplify extracting vital details from extensive materials you may otherwise have to pore through yourself. This makes prioritizing and contextualizing Google Workspace materials effortless.

Quickly Share Public Links to AI Conversations

Engage in an enlightening dialogue with Bard exploring a complex dilemma? Instead of trying to explain the key takeaways second-hand, generate a shareable public link to the full conversation with the click of a button under Bard's settings.

This allows distributing the research to colleagues and stakeholders so they can directly review Bard's objective synthesis of the information. Public links remove friction when communicating AI-powered insights across teams.

Conclusion

Google Bard heralds an exciting new era of conversational AI made even more powerful by its new Gemini model. From smarter answers leveraging broader knowledge to capabilities unlocked by deep Google integration, Bard moves the needle forward on what users can achieve by querying an AI assistant.

By tapping into the tips outlined here for maximizing Bard post its extensive Gemini update, you can benefit from enhanced speed, accuracy, breadth, and versatility compared to previous iterations of the technology.

FAQ

Q: What is Google Bard powered by?
A: Google Bard is powered by an AI model called Gemini. Currently the Gemini Pro version is being used.

Q: How can I simplify Bard's responses?
A: Use the 'Modify response' button to instantly make responses more simple, casual, or professional with one click.

Q: Can Bard access my YouTube videos?
A: Yes, with the YouTube extension enabled, Bard can search YouTube and analyze video content.

Q: What private content can Bard access?
A: If you connect your Google Workspace account, Bard can view emails, documents, spreadsheets in your Google Drive.

Q: Can I share my Bard conversations publicly?
A: Yes, use the 'Public links' option to generate a shareable link to AI chat logs.

Q: How do I provide feedback to Bard?
A: Use the thumbs up/thumbs down buttons to train the AI model.

Q: Can Bard listen to my voice prompts?
A: Yes, tap the microphone icon to provide voice input. You can also have Bard read responses aloud.

Q: What's the benefit of starter prompts?
A: Starter prompts provide perfectly structured queries for the AI to understand the context and task.

Q: Does Bard have internet access?
A: Yes, Bard can search Google and leverage other internet resources in responses.

Q: How do I delete my chat history?
A: Go to 'My activity' page to review and delete previous Bard conversations.