Google launches next-generation AI tool, PaLM 2

Google has launched PaLM 2, a next-generation large language model that the company claims will surpass the performance of top systems on some tasks. The company unveiled the avant-garde artificial intelligence at its yearly I/O conference, along with a new tablet and a foldable Pixel phone. The move is part of Google’s intent to catch up with rivals after years of carrying out AI research without a groundbreaking product. Google claims it will integrate AI into 25 new features and products.

PaLM 2, just like other language models such as GPT, is an all-purpose AI model can generate chatbots, translate several languages, analyze images and write computer codes. With these capabilities, a user can ask a question in the English language about a restaurant in Korea, and the system will search online for responses in Korean, find the appropriate and translate the response into English for the user. Google boasts PaLM-2 even beats Open AI’s GPT-4.

According to the co-lead of the PaLM 2 project, Slav Petrov, so many tasks that appeared impossible are now achievable due to progress made in machines over the past years. He said; “We’re excited to make these models available broadly externally because we want to see what people can do with them.”

PaLM 2’s interaction with Bard

The most obvious and best way to interact with this new model is through Bard, Google’s chatbot, which will be available for public use for the first time and rolled out worldwide. To make the best use of the many capabilities of PaLM 2, Bard is available in Korean, English and Japanese; the company plans to support about 40 languages in time.

The company has also developed a new feature that it calls “Duet AI” that will allow users of Google’s workspace apps like Docs, Gmail, Slides and Sheets to use PaLM 2 as the co-author of spreadsheets, slides and text.

For instance, an image generator integrated into Google will let users to task AI with conceptualizing their ideas and a “help me write” function in Google Docs can create a complete document automatically.

Risk of AI software malfunctioning

However, there are fears that Google’s racing to catch up with its competitors may cause AI software to malfunction. According to reports, the launch of the AI model was completed at the last minute, with updated information about the system just being sent to reporters a few hours before the chief executive of the company took the stage at the conference.

During its preliminary research, the company warned that any system built on PaLM 2 “continues to generate toxic language harm”. This is partly the reason the Bard Chatbot is available in just three languages at the launch.

Photo Credit: Mitchell Luo (Unsplash)