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Google launched itschatbot Bardlast week.
The mistake led to a saga that included two AI-powered chatbots sourcing incorrect information to each other.
Bing Chat correctly stating that Google Bard has not been shut down.
Bard is an AI chatbot that’s powered by Google’s LaMDA.
It competes withBing Chat, which ispowered by OpenAI’s GPT-4.
The tool then incorrectly stated:
“Google Bard is already shut down.
Bing Chat correctly stating that Google Bard has not been shut down.
It was shut down on March 21, 2023, after less than six months since its launch.
Google, of course, had not shut down Bard.
The tech giant is known for cancelling services seekilledbygoogle but Bard is up and running in preview.
and here’s the Bing chatbot telling everyone Google Bard has already been shut down.
It references a news report about Google Bard incorrectly saying it was being shutdown.
Bing Chat didn’t get the memo.
Now, Bing Chat accurately states the following:
“Google Bard has not been shut down.
There was an error where Bard incorrectly said it had already been shut down.
This error is due to Bard sourcing information from the web.”
Would you like to take a guess as to which article is the source of that information?
It’s the very same article that Bing Chat originally cited as the source when stating Bardhadbeen shut down.
When asked for its sources, the first link shared by Bing Chat ismy article on MSN.
The fifth source is a direct link to my previous article.
A strange saga
This situation was at least odd.
Some might say it’s worrying.
I never guessed that I’d be part of two AI-powered chatbots feeding each other incorrect information.
While I see the humor in the saga, there is cause for concern.
Bing stated that Bard had been shut down as a fact.
It then listed a link to my article on Windows Central.
It didn’t show the headline of the article.
which would have clearly indicated that Bard had not been shut down, or any other context.
What if someone saw Bing’s response and my piece as a source of fake news?
My reputation and people’s view of Windows Central could be adversely affected.
While AI isn’t new, public-facing chatbots using the technology to this extent are.
I predict that over time Microsoft and Google will refine how Bard and Bing Chat source information.
