Google Launches AI Chatbot Bard for Teens, Focusing on Safety and Learning
Google has introduced a new AI chatbot called Bard, specifically designed for teenagers. The tech giant plans to make Bard available to teenagers globally, starting today. Initially, the chatbot will be offered with English language support, but Google intends to expand its availability to more languages in the future.
To ensure the safety of teenage users, Google collaborated with child safety and development experts, including the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). Through extensive consultations, Google implemented strong content controls and prioritized safety when designing Bard. This collaboration with experts allowed Google to create an experience that meets the needs of both families and teenagers.
According to a blog post by Google, Bard is an inspirational tool for youngsters, enabling them to solve problems, explore new interests, and engage in interactive learning. Recently, Google enhanced Bard’s capabilities by incorporating a feature that provides detailed explanations for math problems entered or uploaded by users. This addition aims to assist teenagers in their math learning journey.
Stephen Balkam, the founder and CEO of FOSI, emphasizes the importance of generative AI skills. FOSI’s research revealed that teenagers involved in the development of Bard showed keen interest in adopting generative AI and desired to expand their knowledge about its limitations.
Google has taken complaints regarding offensive content and misinformation seriously. To address these concerns, Google has included safeguards and safety features in Bard. The chatbot has been trained to identify unsuitable information for younger users, and measures have been put in place to prevent the creation of harmful or age-restricted content.
Tulsee Doshi, Google’s Head of Product, Responsible AI, acknowledges the possibility of errors in large language models (LLMs). To counter this, Google has implemented a function that allows users to verify the responses provided by Bard. When responding to fact-based queries from teenagers, Bard will utilize this capability to evaluate internet content and confirm the accuracy of its responses.
Google’s launch of Bard for teenagers reflects the company’s commitment to offering innovative and educational tools while prioritizing safety. With the incorporation of safeguards, content controls, and learning enhancements, Bard aims to empower teenagers to learn, explore, and solve problems in a safe and controlled environment.
