Google is struggling to assure the public that it is still a leader in the AI technology race, and its recent actions have only added to the concerns.
An advertisement intended to showcase its new AI bot, Bard, ended up backfiring when the bot gave an incorrect answer to a query. As a result, Alphabet’s shares dropped by over 7% on Wednesday, wiping out $100bn from the company’s market value.
In the advertisement, which was released on Twitter, Bard was asked about discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope and responded that it was the first to take pictures of a planet outside of the Earth’s solar system, a mistake that was quickly pointed out by astronomers on social media.
Investors were not impressed by Google’s presentation on its AI deployment plans either. The company has been facing pressure since OpenAI’s ChatGPT software, backed by Microsoft, was unveiled late last year and became a viral hit for its ability to pass business exams, write song lyrics, and answer questions.
Also Read: Google Unveils ‘Bard’ a ChatGPT Rival
Microsoft recently announced that its Bing search engine will be using an advanced form of the ChatGPT technology.
While investors have shown excitement for AI, there are concerns that rushing the technology’s deployment may result in errors or biased outcomes and plagiarism.
Google has acknowledged the importance of a rigorous testing process and has launched its Trusted Tester program to ensure the quality, safety, and accuracy of Bard’s responses. The company will be combining external feedback with its internal testing.
Last month, Alphabet cut 12,000 jobs, approximately 6% of its global workforce, as part of a larger trend of layoffs among leading tech companies.