Google’s artificial intelligence language model, the Bard, has recently made headlines with its expansion to 180 countries and territories, introducing new features, and dropping its waitlist. Launched in 2022, Bard is positioned as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and is designed to engage in human-like conversations on a wide range of topics.

According to a report from The Guardian, the Australian launch of Bard’s has been well-received, with users noting its ability to hold nuanced conversations. This is a significant achievement for Bard, as its predecessor, Meena, faced criticism for its lack of coherence and tendency to generate nonsensical responses.

One of the new features Bard is rolling out is the ability to handle multiple languages, a crucial addition to a product that aims to be accessible to a global audience. The platform is also adding support for third-party integrations, such as booking appointments or ordering food, which will enable businesses to offer personalized and efficient customer service.

However, not all countries have been able to access Bard’s capabilities. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the chatbot is still not available in Hong Kong, despite its expansion to 180 other countries and territories. The reason for this is unclear, but it may be related to the city’s complex political situation.

Google has made it clear that it sees Bard as a key player in the future of conversational AI, with plans to integrate it into its various products and services. However, it remains to be seen how successful Bard will be in penetrating the market and overtaking its competitors, including ChatGPT.

The expansion of Bard to 180 countries and the introduction of new features mark a significant milestone for the platform. While there are still hurdles to overcome, such as its availability in certain regions, Bard’s potential to offer engaging and personalized conversations is exciting. The competition between ChatGPT and Bard will likely continue to push both platforms to improve and evolve, ultimately benefiting users in their interactions with AI-powered chatbots.