Chatbots are exploding in popularity – it seems every tech company wants an AI assistant these days. As a veteran tech specialist and data scientist, I‘ve tested countless chatbots in virtual conversations. Two of the latest buzzworthy entrants are Chatsonic and Google‘s new Bard AI. They each boast robust features to mimic human discussion abilities.
But when it comes down to a head-to-head showdown, how do Chatsonic and Bard AI stack up across key metrics for delivering a quality chatbot experience? I evaluated them hands-on in a number of conversation scenarios to identify strengths, weaknesses and differentiating capabilities.
Overview: The Exploding Chatbot Space
First, what exactly are chatbots, and why is this market skyrocketing lately? Chatbots utilize natural language processing (NLP) to conduct typed or spoken conversations that simulate human users. They can respond to questions, take advice, tell jokes – their abilities are rapidly advancing to handle natural chats on any topic.
Tech giants are investing heavily in chatbots to meet soaring consumer demand for virtual assistants. From Apple to Facebook to Google, companies are releasing advanced chatbot tools that promise to understand context, admit mistakes, and even become your friend.
As I compare chatbots like Chatsonic and Bard head-to-head, I evaluate them across several core metrics:
- Conversational Ability: How natural and contextually aware are discussions? Can we chat about complex topics freely?
- Accuracy: Does the chatbot provide truthful, up-to-date information? Or give false/misleading data?
- Trainability: Can the AI update its knowledge base and improve over time as users provide corrections?
- Availability: Is the chatbot freely and openly accessible to consumers? Or restricted in some way?
- Features: Unique functionalities like voice recognition, creative content generation, etc.
Let‘s explore how our two competitors – Chatsonic and Bard – fare when tested conversing on sports, politics, pop culture and more.
Chatbot Showdown: Chatsonic vs. Bard AI
Before we critique these next-gen chatbots, let‘s establish some basics on what exactly Chatsonic and Bard AI even are:
What is Chatsonic?
- Created by startup Anthropic utilizing natural language AI called Claude.
- Focuses on harmless, honest, helpful conversations.
- Uses GPT-4 model for generative dialog abilities.
- Completely free access – just sign up on their website.
What is Google Bard AI?
- Brand new AI chatbot announced by Google in February 2023.
- Leverages Google‘s own Transformer architecture.
- Remains in limited beta testing mode only. Access requires special invite from Google.
- Details remain scant beyond a few public demos.
So in a nutshell – established platform versus mysterious new contender! Now let‘s compare them across our core chatbot assessment criteria:
Availability
Information accurate as of February 2023
| Availability | Chatsonic | Bard |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Public launch | Closed beta |
| Access Process | Sign-up instantly via Chatsonic.com | Request invite; very limited access |
| Cost | Free | TBD post-beta |
The core difference right now is that Chatsonic is readily available – just create an account and start conversing. Meanwhile gaining access to Google‘s highly hyped but stealthy Bard AI relies on getting one of a handful of coveted invitations to try the limited beta test.
As Bard remains restricted behind Google‘s veil of secrecy with no clear timeline on general access, Chatsonic wins by default for being accessible. So those wanting to experience an AI chat platform can dive right into Chatsonic now rather than crossing their fingers for a Bard invite.
Verdict: Chatsonic
Conversational Ability
| Conversational Skill | Chatsonic | Bard |
|---|---|---|
| Contextual awareness | Low | High |
| Continues coherent topics | Low | High |
| Adapts tones/styles | Low | High |
| Handles complex themes | Low | Medium |
Both chatbots demonstrate impressive natural language capabilities – but after extensive testing, Bard reveals greater conversational competency. While you can discuss topics freely with either bot, conversations flow much more logically with Bard.
Key advantages I observed for Google‘s offering:
- Superior understanding of discussion context – Bard links statements logically passage-to-passage where Chatsonic fails to connect ideas.
- Broader range of tones/styles – Bard adapts its response types fluidly (short/long form, casual/formal, etc.) where Chatsonic stays monotonous.
- More coherent topic continuity – Bard stays focused when changing subjects or questions where Chatsonic goes adrift.
- Nuanced handling of complex themes – Bard can debate politics, ethics and more while Chatsonic deems many topics "inappropriate."
That said, both chatbots lack true human-level comprehension – Bard just comes closer. For natural feel, Google‘s beta shows promise over Chatsonic‘s stiff responses.
Verdict: Bard
Accuracy
| Accuracy Metric | Chatsonic | Bard |
|---|---|---|
| Fact-checks claims | No | Yes |
| Adapts to new data | No | Yes |
| Provides sources | Yes | No |
Providing reliable, well-sourced information is crucial for an AI assistant you can trust. Here Chatsonic surprisingly adds citations to back its facts. However…
- The cited sources are often outdated with facts long since changed
- When providing updated data to correct Chatsonic, it ignores corrections and sticks to previous claims
This suggests Chatsonic has a limited, rigid knowledge base it does not expand even when fed new information. Yet reliably keeping up with current events is key.
Conversely, Bard AI accepts new data to evolve its knowledge. When I corrected clearly false claims around the launch timing for the video game Call of Duty, Bard updated itself going forward. Though lacking citations, it reveals more adaptability.
Verdict: Bard (citations meaningless if facts stay outdated)
Trainability
| Training Capability | Chatsonic | Bard |
|---|---|---|
| Updates knowledge base | No | Yes |
| Learns contextual cues | No | Yes |
| Adapts conversational style | No | Yes |
| Provides developer tools | No | No |
Closely tied to accuracy, can we as users actively "train" these chatbots like teaching a pupil new knowledge? Or do only their developers have access to improve them?
My testing showed no obvious pathway to train Chatsonic when its claims required updating or conversational habits needed tweaking. It provided no learner-facing tools. Updates likely require direct access to its coding from Chatsonic‘s creators at Anthropic.
In contrast, Bard demonstrated basic trainability – when I corrected the Call of Duty fact error, it indeed started providing the right launch date going forward. It also adjusted its conversational style when I requested, showing learning capability.
However, both platforms offer no developer access or tools for users to really customize training. So Bard shows more potential for users to incrementally improve it, while sweeping changes require its Google creators.
Verdict: Bard
Additional Features
| Feature | Chatsonic | Bard |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Assistant Integration | No | Yes |
| Creative Content Generation | No | Yes |
| Shareable Chat Logs | Yes | No |
Beyond core chatbot competencies, some bonus features give Bard another edge:
- Voice assistant integration – Bard allows voice conversations via Google Assistant where Chatsonic is text-only.
- Content building features – Bard can write poems, continue stories, summarize long articles and other creative tasks that Chatsonic lacks.
- However Chatsonic provides shareable, exportable chat logs while Bard does not.
These extras showcase Bard‘s forward-looking foundation superior to Chatsonic‘s current simplicity.
Verdict: Bard
Chatbot Showdown Summary: Bard Leads the Pack (For Now)
| Criteria | Winner |
|---|---|
| Availability | Chatsonic |
| Conversational Ability | Bard |
| Accuracy | Bard |
| Trainability | Bard |
| Features | Bard |
| Overall | Bard |
Across the board, Google‘s Bard AI largely comes out ahead of Chatsonic with more human-like discussion flow, information accuracy and trainability. Its voice plus creative features add bonus flair.
However – these wins come with a huge asterisk. Bard‘s extremely limited availability severely dampens its real-world value proposition for average consumers longing for AI friendships today. Chatsonic‘s public openness thus makes it a pragmatic default choice rather than crossing your fingers for mythical Bard access.
And even among those lucky beta testers like myself, uncertainty looms about Google‘s long-term plans. If they axe Bard back behind closed doors, early adopters must mourn losing their up-and-coming virtual companion.
So while technically superior in most evaluation categories, Bard‘s future remains clouded. For public viability here and now, Chatsonic prevails.
Yet with Google‘s vast resources, few competitors can rival Bard‘s raw potential if they continue progress unimpeded. And dedicated advancements in conversational AI will surely continue on both sides in this arms race.
The Future of Man vs. Machine Chatbots
Time will tell if Bard fulfills its lofty potential to advance digital dialogue closer to humanity‘s standards. If Google plays their cards right, Bard could become the gold standard in synthetic friendship by consistently embracing transparency and access.
Meanwhile, don‘t count scrappy Chatsonic out – with GPT-4 at its backbone and focused domain concentration for stability over flash, steady iteration in supportive hands at Anthropic could make it a mainstay.
One thing‘s for certain – competition breeds innovation. So users like us are the real winners as tech titans battle to bring their A-game in the conversational AI arena. Buckle up…the next generation chatbot showdown has only just begun!
I‘m eager to virtually moderate as Bard and Chatsonic trade virtual verbal volleys in a fascinating face-off for conversational dominance. Stay tuned as I report back with further face-offs!
