Google Announces “Assistant with Bard” with New AI Features

Google made an announcement that touts new artificial intelligence (AI) features on its popular Google Assistant during the “Made by Google” event on October 4, 2023.

The assistant, which has been around for over seven years, has primarily served as a conversational helper, assisting with tasks like setting alarms, checking the weather, or making calls.

“Assistant with Bard combines Assistant’s capabilities with generative AI to help you stay on top of what’s most important, right from your phone,” Google said.

The tech and ad giant focuses on personalized, generative AI, which will add to Google Assistant’s usual tasks.

“Now, generative AI is creating new opportunities to build a more intuitive, intelligent, personalized digital assistant. One that extends beyond voice, understands and adapts to you, and handles personal tasks in new ways. We think your digital assistant should make it even easier to manage the big and small items on your to-do list — like planning your next trip, finding details buried in your inbox, creating a grocery list for your weekend getaway, or sending a text. All like a true assistant would.”

Moreover, Assistant with Bard will be integrated with other Google services, with the assistant update being integrated with Gmail and Google Docs.

Android users will get additional, exclusive features, such as the ability to overlay the Assistant with Bard interface with a photo from your photos or gallery app and have it do AI tasks like creating contextual social media posts.

According to Google, Assistant with Bard is in the early experimental phase, with the company planning to roll it out to early testers soon for feedback and further refinement.

Assistant with Bard will be available to the general public in the next few months, according to Google, adding that an iOS version will also be released. (GFB)