Google Bard Advanced to Require Subscription Access

In a recent Q4 earnings call, Google disclosed plans to introduce a subscription-based model for its Bard AI chatbot, echoing OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus.

The upcoming Bard Advanced, which the tech giant revealed, will require a premium subscription, per Mashable. While details on costs and release dates are undisclosed, the current Bard iteration is accessible to users for free, diverging from ChatGPT-4, which mandates a $20 monthly subscription for its Plus version.

Google's strategic decision aligns with the growing industry trend of exploring subscription models for enhanced features, sparking user anticipation for more information on the forthcoming Bard Advanced subscription.

Google Bard Advanced, relying on Google Gemini Ultra, remains enveloped in mystery, with minimal details available, as reported by Tom's Guide. Confirmed are its multimodal capabilities, which make it adept at processing video, images, audio, and text seamlessly.

The New York Times reported that scientists consider Google Gemini a large language model (LLM), a complex mathematical system that can learn from digital books, Wikipedia pages, and internet forums. An LLM learns to write autonomously by finding patterns in this massive textual material. Thus, Gemini can write term papers, code, and talk coherently.

Despite Google's claims of superiority over OpenAI's models, external validation beyond Google's exclusive testing circle is pending. Google emphasizes Gemini Ultra's proficiency in insightful conversations and creative content generation. Speculations arise about bundled access to Google's experimental image, video, and music generation models, potentially justifying the anticipated upgrade cost.

Integration Plans Unveiled

Moreover, Google plans to integrate Bard AI with its mobile assistant in March, with the simultaneous unveiling of Bard Advanced as a possibility. Alternatively, the tech giant may defer the launch until May, coinciding with the Google I/O 2024 developer conference.

Google Cuts Ties with AI Firm That Trained Bard AI

The news follows Alphabet's decision to terminate its contract with Appen in January, the AI data firm responsible for training Google's Bard and other AI products, impacting at least two thousand subcontracted workers. Effective March 19, this decision, made after a strategic review, accounts for about one-third of Appen's revenue, prompting concern from the Alphabet Workers Union, per CNBC.

In 2023, Appen's revenue from Alphabet totaled $82.8 million out of $273 million in total sales. Appen faced financial challenges with a 30% revenue drop in 2023, coupled with a stock plummet of over 99%. Despite a prestigious client list, Appen struggled to pivot to generative AI, citing weak quality controls and a disjointed structure. The current trend favors large language models like ChatGPT and Bard, leading to diminished reliance on firms such as Appen.