- ChatGPT announces the arrival of plugins
- They enable access to real-time information for third-party services
- These plugins are in response to the new features of Bard, Google’s AI, announced during Google I/0 2023
For OpenAI, there is no question that each takes its place as the benchmark for conversational AI. While Google has announced a number of new features for Bard, its artificial intelligence, ChatGPT welcomes a new powerful tool: Plugins.
OpenAI had explained this functionality in the boxes for a lease in related sources. But the company waited for Google to announce the launch of Bard plugins to pull the rug out from under it. Mission accomplished, although the plugins are reserved for ChatGPT beta stars who have subscribed to the paid offering.
Plugins end up on ChatGPT
Although ChatGPT is very powerful, it also has its limitations. Because it is based solely on training data, it cannot access information that is too recent (as of June 2021), too personal, or too specific to be included in that data. For example, it may not know the latest news, user preferences, or details about a particular product.
Therefore, to address these shortcomings, OpenAI has announced the launch of a beta version of plugins for ChatGPT. Plugins are special extensions developed for language models where security is the basic principle. She Allow ChatGPT access to up-to-date information, carry out calculations or use the services of third parties. In doing so, they expand the field of possible applications and improve the capabilities of ChatGPT.
Plugins work through APIs (programming interfaces) provided by developers on their websites. The developers also provide a manifest file that describes the API in a standardized format. ChatGPT then uses these files to allow the language model to interact with the API created by the developer.
The first plugins were made by Expedia, FiscalNote, Instacart, KAYAK, Klarna, Milo, OpenTable, Shopify, Slack, Speak, Wolfram and Zapier. They offer various functionalities, such as researching and booking trips, comparing and buying products online, accessing legal and political data, learning languages or interacting with other applications. . OpenAI has also developed its own plugins : a web browser and a code interpreter.
OpenAI vs. Google: Here we go, Barder!
ChatGPT plugins therefore compete with those of Bard, Google’s language model presented at the I/O 2023 conference. Based on a new engine, Bard has been improved by Google with image functions, code and application integration. Bard is now also available in French in more than 180 countries and soon in around forty languages.
According to Sissie Hsiao, Vice President and General Manager of Google Assistant and Bard, “Google’s expertise in understanding information combined with generative AI will transform search again.” Creating New Opportunities for Users”.
Both language models are still in the experimental phase and require prior registration for access. They also raise ethical and social questions about the use and impact of generative AI. However, the two companies claim to respect their AI principles and put in place control and transparency mechanisms.
