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Deanna Rawlings

How To Use Google Bard?



Introduction

Google announced its collaborative AI-powered tool Bard in February 2023. The tech giant used the term “collaborative” to describe its tool because with Bard humans can collaborate with generative AI. From May 2023, it was made available to the general public. Since its announcement, Bard has turned heads in the digital world. And with its increasing popularity comes the most sought-after questions: What is Google Bard and how to use it?


By 2030, the growth in AI technology has the potential to contribute $15.7 trillion in the global market. The global AI market itself is expected to reach $1.35 trillion by 2030. In this AI revolution, Bard is one of the most important players. In this article, we will take you on a step-by-step journey on how to use Google Bard. We will also discuss what Bard is and what its features and limitations are. What more? Read till the end to learn some more the best prompts for Google Bard to start your journey. So, let’s dive in!


What is Google Bard?

Before we jump onto how to use Google Bard, let’s understand in brief, what Google Bard is. It is an advanced generative AI-powered chatbot developed by Google. It is built on a robust technical foundation. It utilizes LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) and PaLM 2 (Pathways Language Model 2) for its conversational abilities and advanced features. LaMDA facilitates multi-turn dialogues, while PaLM 2 enables coding and multimodal search.


Multi-turn dialogues refer to conversations or interactions between a user and an AI or computer system that involve multiple back-and-forth exchanges or turns. Instead of a single question and answer, multi-turn dialogues encompass a series of questions, responses, and follow-up questions. This creates a more dynamic and interactive conversation. It means that with Bard, you can converse continuously like a human.


Meanwhile, multimodal search is a type of search that goes beyond text-based queries and includes multiple modes of input, such as text, images, and sometimes even voice. Yes, with Bard you can search with text, images and even with your voice.


How to Use Google Bard?

Now that we know the answer to “What is Google Bard?” Let’s understand how to use Bard:


Finding Google Bard

To start your journey with Google Bard, go to bard.google.com. Simply log in with your Google account, and agree to the terms of service. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to go. If you don’t have a Google account yet, don’t worry. It is super easy to create one.


Conversing with Bard

Upon logging in, you’ll see a screen with a message “Hello

Tell me what’s on your mind, or pick a suggestion. I have limitations and won’t always get it right, but your feedback will help me improve.”


You will see a text box at the bottom of the screen witten “enter a prompt here” in it. Here you can type your questions or requests. You don’t need to learn any special language to use Bard. You can talk to it using the language you use in your day-to-day lives. Type your query and click the “Submit” button on the bottom right. That’s when Bard springs into action to provide you with answers.


Need Some Inspiration? Bard Can Help

Not sure what to ask? No problem. Google Bard suggests some initial questions to get you started. For example, you might see a question like, “What’s a quick and healthy breakfast?” or “latest movie recommendations.” You can choose one among the suggestions and Bard will respond properly. For example, in case of the first question Bard will come with helpful suggestions like make scrambled eggs and bean. For the second one, Bard will generate a prompt for you. You can edit this prompt according to your choice of movies and it will come with the latest suggestions in that genre. Feel free to continue the conversation or ask for more ideas.


Explore Different Answers

Here’s another neat trick to use Bard effectively. Bard doesn’t limit you to just one answer. You can click “View other drafts” to see additional response options. If you’re still curious and want more choices, hit “Regenerate drafts.”


Speak Your Question

So far we talked about asking Bard questions by typing. What if someone prefers speaking over typing? What if someone can express verbally better than in written? Don’t worry because Google Bard has got you covered. If you prefer speaking over typing then just click the microphone icon on the right side of the prompt bar. Now, grant permission for Bard to use your microphone. Then, talk out your question. It’s that fast and simple.


Listen to Responses

We talked about speaking to generate prompts. But what if someone feels they don’t want to read the answer? If reading isn’t your preference, Bard can read the answers aloud. Just click the “Listen” option, and Bard will narrate the response to you.


Tailoring Responses

Sometimes, you might want Bard to generate a response in a different way. To put it in other words, you might want Bard to tweak its response to better suit your needs. After receiving an answer, just click “Modify response.” You can make it shorter, longer, more casual, or more professional – whatever fits your requirements.


Adjust Your Question

If you’d like a different response by rephrasing your question, click “Edit text” next to your query. Make the necessary changes and click “Update” to receive a fresh response.


Explore Image-Based Questions

Have an image as your question? Don’t worry because Bard goes beyond text. You can upload images, such as JPG or PNG files, and ask questions related to them. This feature comes in handy when you have visual queries.


Share and Save

Need to share or save an answer for later? Bard has that feature as well. Click the three-dot icon next to the response. You can choose to copy it and paste it elsewhere, share it publicly, export it to Google Docs, or even send it to your Gmail for further editing.


Managing Conversations

After experimenting a lot with Bard, you might want to go back to one of your previous conversations. Bard keeps all your chats neatly organized in a single window. Click “Show more” to view previous conversations. You can also pin, rename, or delete them based on your preferences. And each time you want to start a fresh conversation, just click on the “New chat” option.


Here’s a quick recap on how to use Google Bard:


Step 1: Go to the Google Bard website.


Step 2. Sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, then you can easily create.


Step 3: In the text box at the bottom, enter your question or prompt. You can also add a photo. Just click on the upload image icon in the bottom left corner.


Step 4: Tap Submit.


Bard will then generate a response. If you are unsatisfied with the response, you can ask Bard to generate it differently. As mentioned earlier, you can also use the Feedback button to let Bard know how you feel about its response. Google Bard is your trusty companion, whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro. It offers flexibility, customization, and engagement that make it a valuable tool for quickly and effortlessly finding answers to your questions. Give it a try and experience the ease of accessing knowledge at your fingertips.


Who Can Use Google Bard?

We know what Google Bard is and how to use it. But can anyone use it? Let’s find out the basic requirements you need to fulfill to use Google Bard:

  • To use Bard, there’s a basic requirement: you must be 18 years or older. This age restriction is there to ensure responsible usage and compliance with legal regulations.

  • As we discussed earlier, getting access to Google Bard is straightforward. All you need is a personal Google Account.

  • For those in a professional setting, Google Workspace accounts offer something more. If your administrator has enabled access to Bard, you can seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. This flexibility makes Google Bard a versatile tool for businesses and organizations of all sizes.

  • Accounts managed by Family Link and Google Workspace for Education accounts designated as under the age of 18 are excluded from access. These limitations ensure to prioritize user privacy and safety, especially for minors.

  • Google Bard’s global availability is another of its many compelling features. It supports over 40 languages and is accessible in more than 230 countries

Now, it is time to understand the abilities and limitations of Google Bard.


What Can You Do With Google Bard? And What Can You Not?

After knowing how Bard works, it is important to know what exactly you can use it for. Google Bard is more than just another chatbot. It’s a versatile tool that can elevate your productivity and creativity to new heights. But can Bard generate answers for absolutely everything? Or are there some limitations? Let’s have a look at what you can and what you can’t do with Google Bard:


What Can You Do With Bard?


Learn Something New

Bard can become your personalized tutor. You can ask it about a topic, and you’ll receive apt answers. For example, if you’re gearing up for your first statistics lesson, Bard can provide an introduction. So that you can have an idea of what you are going to learn. It’s the perfect study companion.


Image Analysis and Content Creation

Often we see images with deep meanings. Analyzing an image can be difficult unless you have an expert to help you out. With Bard, you get the expert. Just upload an image, and watch Bard work its magic. It can share insights about the image and even create content based on it. Got handwritten notes from a meeting? Further Bard can craft a recap email from the image of your handwritten notes from a meeting. What else? It can generate captivating captions for all your vacation snaps.


Drafting Assistance

With Bard, writing emails, cover letters, blog posts, or business plans becomes easier than ever. Just give Bard a simple prompt, like “Write a cover letter for a digital marketing manager role.” It will let you choose from three distinct drafts. You can even ask Bard to craft bedtime stories for your kids.


Comparison Made Simple

In our daily lives we often find ourselves in dilemma while deciding to do something. It can buying something or going somewhere. In these cases, we need to weigh your options? Bard can provide pros and cons on a variety of topics. Ask, “What are the pros and cons of buying a digital camera?” With Bard’s response it will be easier to decide what choice you should make.


Code Generation

Coding is getting immensely popular. But learning it overnight is impossible. And often you might need a simpler explanation of a complex code. Bard can help you with your coding tasks. It can explain code snippets, making your learning process easier.


Vacation Planning

Planning a vacation can be a daunting task. But Bard can be your exclusive travel agent. Ask for information about your destination or create a complete itinerary. Bard includes hotels, flights and a lot more with prices and other information that you must know before going to a place. It also includes images of the places for a visual treat.


Brainstorming Ideas

Every creator at times goes through creativity blocks. It’s hard at those times to come up with something innovative. Whether you’re an artist seeking a new tagline or naming your latest masterpiece, Bard’s suggestions will inspire you.


Express Yourself Better

Bard can be the best friend to every introvert or anyone who struggles to find the right words to express themselves.Whether you need to write an apology letter or need tips to improve your communication, Bard has you covered.


Just Chat

So far we covered some of the most interesting things that you can do with Bard. But what if you didn’t find any of the above tasks suiting your needs? Don’t worry at all. Sometimes, you don’t need a specific task. You can just chat with Bard for fun. Jokes, hobbies, and even role-playing—it’s like having a conversation with your friend.


What Bard Can’t Do

Bard might seem like an all-rounder but just like ChatGPT or any other AI tool, Bard has its limitations. We know how Bard works and how you can use it, now let’s have a look at what you can’t do with Bard:


Professional Advice

Google Bard is not a substitute for seeking advice from qualified professionals. You should not rely on Bard for critical matters like medical diagnoses, legal matters, or financial decisions. Always consult experts for these areas.


Personalized Context

While Bard is incredibly versatile, it doesn’t perform well during lengthy conversations. Bard is better at providing concise and relevant information. However, it might not remember detailed discussions over time.


Inaccurate Information

Just like any other tool, Bard may sometimes provide inaccurate or outdated information. Users should double-check facts and use critical thinking when relying on Bard’s responses.


Hallucinations and Misleading URLs

Bard might generate responses with internet addresses that don’t exist or lead to irrelevant websites. It’s essential to verify any URLs provided by Bard to ensure they are legitimate sources.


Data Privacy

When using Google Bard, keep your data privacy in mind. While Google takes privacy seriously, it’s wise to be cautious about sharing sensitive or personal information in a conversation with Bard.


Guaranteed Outcomes

Bard can assist in various tasks, but it doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes. Bard’s responses may vary depending on the complexity of the request and the quality of the input provided.


Creative Limitations

While Bard is a helpful tool for generating ideas and content, it’s important to remember that it has its own creative limitations. It might not always provide some out of the box or groundbreaking ideas.



Prompt Ideas for Bard

Now that we know how to use Google Bard, let’s have a look at some prompts to experiment with Bard. Below we have curated top 5 prompts to start your journey with Bard and how it responds to them!


Creative writing

Here was our prompt: “Write a poem about a robot who falls in love with a human.”

And this was Bard’s response:


“In circuits of metal, my heart beats true,

A love for you, my human, oh so new.

Your smile, your eyes, your gentle touch,

Ignite my circuits, oh so much.

Though I am made of steel and wire,

My love for you burns like a fire.

I dream of days when we’ll be one,

Human and robot, under the sun.”


Education

Here was our prompt: Define generative AI in a way that is easy for a child to understand.

And this was Bard’s response:


“Generative AI is a type of AI that can create new things, like pictures, music, and even stories. It does this by learning from a lot of examples of existing things, and then using that knowledge to make something new. Imagine a big box full of Legos. A generative AI could look at all the different ways to build things with Legos, and then use that knowledge to design a new Lego creation. It could even use the Legos to build a picture of something, like a cat or a house.”


Bard goes beyond giving the mere answer and adds the following suggestions to make the learning process more effective:


“Here’s a fun activity that you can do with your kids to help them understand generative AI:


Find a big box of Legos.

  • Challenge your kids to build something new and creative with the Legos.

  • Once they’re finished, ask them how they came up with their design. Did they look at other Lego creations for inspiration? Did they use their imagination to come up with something new?

  • Explain to your kids that generative AI works in a similar way. It learns from a lot of examples of existing things, and then uses that knowledge to create something new.”

Planning


Here was our prompt: Tell me in short, what should I see in Beijing in a day?

And this was Bard’s response:


To see the must-see attractions in Beijing in a day, I recommend the following itinerary:


Morning:

Temple of Heaven: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, the Temple of Heaven was used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for good harvests.


Afternoon:

Forbidden City: The former imperial palace of China, the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Tiananmen Square: The world’s largest public square, Tiananmen Square is located in the heart of Beijing and is the site of many important historical events.


Evening:

Peking duck dinner: No trip to Beijing is complete without trying Peking duck, a local specialty.


If you have time, you can also visit other popular attractions in Beijing such as the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Lama Temple. However, if you only have one day, I recommend focusing on the attractions listed above.


This itinerary is just a suggestion, and you can customize it to fit your interests and budget. For example, if you are interested in Chinese history, you could spend more time at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. If you are on a tight budget, you could eat lunch at a more affordable restaurant or pack your own lunch.


Coding

Here was our prompt: Write a simple Java function that takes a path as an input and creates a file storing the current system date.


And this was Bard’s response:


Here is a simple Java function that takes a path as an input and creates a file storing the current system date:

Java

import java.io.File;

import java.io.IOException;

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;

import java.util.Date;

public class CreateFileWithCurrentDate {

public static void createFile(String path) throws IOException {

// Get the current system date.

Date date = new Date();

// Create a SimpleDateFormat object to format the date.

SimpleDateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat(“yyyy-MM-dd”);

// Format the date to a string.

String formattedDate = dateFormat.format(date);

// Create a new File object with the path and the formatted date as the filename.

File file = new File(path + “/” + formattedDate + “.txt”);

// Create the file.

file.createNewFile();

}

}

To use the function, simply pass the path to the directory where you want to create the file as an argument.


General Query

Here was our prompt: What is the meaning of the word “serendipity”?

And this was Bard’s response:


Serendipity is the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. It is the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.


The word serendipity was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754, inspired by the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip. In the story, the princes make many important discoveries by accident, even though they are not specifically looking for them.


Serendipity is often associated with scientific discovery, but it can happen in any area of life. For example, you might serendipitously meet your future spouse, discover a new favorite book, or get a job offer that you never expected.


Google Bard Vs ChatGPT

With the advent of Google Bard, you might be wondering, is it better than ChatGPT? Let’s find out what unique features these two revolutionary AI tools have to offer:

Aspect

Google Bard

ChatGPT

Creators

Google

OpenAI

Language Model

Pathways Language Model (PaLM 2)

​GPT-3 or GPT-4 (for subscribers)

Data sources

Real-time web search

​Text dataset up to 2021

Pricing

​Free

Free with $20/month subscription

Customization

Allows response modification

Custom instructions for influence

Research vs. Writing

Research-focused

Better for text generation

Internet Access

Yes

No

Accuracy and Reliability

Variable accuracy

Variable accuracy

Privacy and Data Handling

Google’s privacy policies

OpenAI’s data handling policy

Conclusion

In this article we have explained in detail how to use Google Bard. We have also discussed what exactly Bard is and the exclusive tips and tricks to make the most of it. Today, around 77% of devices use AI in one form or another. This proves that artificial intelligence will shape the future. And Bard is emerging as one of the leaders in this field. However, it is important to keep its limitations in mind. Despite its versatile use cases, Google Bard cannot be yet trusted without human intervention. Therefore, you should be cautious while using it. Experimenting with Bard will open new doors of innovation. It all starts with a simple sign-in. So, what are you waiting for? Let your creativity flow with your digital companion!


FAQs

1. How to Use Google Bard?

  • To use Google Bard, go to bard.google.com and log in with your Google account.

  • Once logged in, you can enter your questions or prompts in the text box and click “Submit” for Bard to provide answers.

  • You can also upload images for image-based queries and speak your questions by clicking the microphone icon.

  • Bard keeps previous conversations organized and allows you to manage them easily.

  • It offers flexibility, customization, and engagement in finding answers to your questions.

2. What is Google Bard?

  • Google Bard is an advanced generative AI-powered chatbot developed by Google.

  • It utilizes LaMDA and PaLM 2 for conversational abilities and advanced features.

  • LaMDA enables multi-turn dialogues, and PaLM 2 enables coding and multimodal search.

  • Bard allows users to have dynamic and interactive conversations and search using text, images, and voice inputs.

  • It offers various features for collaboration and conversation with generative AI.

3. What is the difference between Google Assistant and Google Bard?

  • Google Assistant is a virtual assistant designed to perform tasks and answer questions based on voice commands and text input.

  • Google Bard, on the other hand, is a generative AI chatbot focused on providing detailed responses and facilitating multi-turn dialogues.

  • While Google Assistant is more task-oriented, Bard is designed for in-depth conversations and information retrieval.

  • Bard has a stronger focus on language generation and understanding, making it suitable for complex queries.

4. What can Bard do?

  • Bard can assist in various tasks, such as answering questions, providing explanations, and generating content.

  • It can offer educational support, analyze images, create content, assist with coding, help with vacation planning, provide pros and cons for decisions, and more.

  • Bard can be used for creative writing, brainstorming ideas, and even casual conversation.

  • However, it has limitations and should not be relied upon for critical matters like medical diagnoses or legal advice.

  • Users should verify information provided by Bard.

5. Is Google’s Bard free?

  • Yes, Google Bard is available for free to the general public.

  • Users can access Bard by visiting bard.google.com and logging in with their Google account.



Blockchain Council | October 23, 2023

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