This latest version of Bard allows it to interact with other Google applications and services such as Google Flights and Hotels. With the introduction of Bard Extensions, which was launched recently, Bard can now access and share information from Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
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GLOGoogle is enhancing its travel planning capabilities through its generative artificial intelligence (AI) model called Bard. This latest version of Bard allows it to interact with other Google applications and services such as Google Flights and Hotels. With the introduction of Bard Extensions, which was launched recently, Bard can now access and share information from Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
Aarush Selvan, a product manager for Bard, explained, “We’ve been driven by curiosity about what’s possible if we could integrate other things with Bard.” Bard is among several prominent generative AI models available to consumers, alongside popular ones like Bing Chat and ChatGPT. These generative AI models are based on extensive language models and trained using machine-learning algorithms, enabling them to create content such as text and images.
Bard was initially released in a limited capacity in March and was later made more widely available in May. Early on, it became evident that one of Bard’s popular use cases was travel planning, as users sought its assistance in brainstorming travel destinations and organizing itineraries. Selvan mentioned, “We were excited about the idea of connecting other apps people use for travel planning to Bard, to make it more helpful.”
Now, Bard can provide users with real-time flight and hotel information, and it can even recommend inspirational YouTube videos. For example, users can ask Bard to locate an email containing a hotel confirmation and suggest nearby restaurants.
While Bard’s capabilities from Google Flights and Hotels are currently relatively straightforward, Selvan indicated that his team is keen to receive feedback on additional features that users would find valuable in this generative AI model.
Mike Coletta, manager of research and innovation at Phocuswright, described the decision to integrate more Google services into Bard as both expected and significant. He believes it’s a logical progression for Bard and points to a future where generative AI can suggest travel experiences that users hadn’t previously considered. Coletta envisions AI assistants becoming conversationally proactive, getting to know users and tailoring travel recommendations to their preferences, ultimately making travel planning more personalized and efficient. He noted that with AI expertise, access to travel inventory, and user data, the foundation is in place for Bard to offer proactive travel suggestions that users may not have even known they would like.
