Generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Google Bard are continually evolving and enhancing their capabilities. Google’s smart assistant, Bard, has recently received a feature update that enables it to respond in real time, giving users a more dynamic interaction.
Previously, Bard would take the time to compose its responses in full before displaying them on screen. In contrast, ChatGPT and Bing Chat have been known to provide text outputs in real time, even as they continue to refine their responses.
Google Bard has now adopted this real-time response feature as the default behavior. Although the changelog for Bard hasn’t been updated to reflect this change, users will notice it when they load Bard on the web.
If you prefer the previous approach where responses are completed before display, you can easily switch back to it. Just click on the cog icon located in the top right corner and select “Respond once complete.”
It’s important to note that this change is primarily cosmetic, and it doesn’t affect the actual content and quality of the responses generated by the AI behind Google Bard. However, the real-time response does provide a more human-like feel to the interaction, even though the core AI technology remains the same.
With this update, users also have the flexibility to interrupt a response before it’s finished. This can be useful if you realize that your query or prompt wasn’t framed correctly or if you believe Bard isn’t providing the desired answer.
Notably, Google Bard’s adoption of the real-time response style aligns it with the way ChatGPT and Bing Chat, powered by ChatGPT, have always operated. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these AI engines will be judged based on the quality and accuracy of their responses rather than the timing of their answers.
As with previous iterations, after Bard has completed its response, users can explore alternative suggestions by clicking on the “View other drafts” link at the top right. Additionally, they can fine-tune the response by using the sliders at the bottom, allowing for adjustments such as making the response shorter or simpler to better match their needs.
