Google’s AI-Powered Search Enhancements for Summer 2023
Stay ahead this summer with Google’s latest AI-powered search tools for skin health, travel, and productivity.
Since its inception, Google’s search engine has been a trusted companion for billions of users. Today, the tech giant is introducing a range of AI-powered tools that have the potential to reshape various aspects of our lives. From advancing dermatology with skin identification features to simplifying travel planning through generative AI, Google is harnessing the power of its technologies to provide users with accessible and reliable tools. Additionally, their conversational tool, Google Bard, continues to evolve with new updates and integration capabilities.
Will Google be Our New Dermatologist?
Well, yes, but also not really. It’s a bit more complicated than that, so keep reading for a complete answer.
According to Google spokesperson Craig Ewer, the company has been working closely with dermatologists and skin experts to design a skin identification feature within Google Lens. This new feature is not to be confused with Google’s already-released DermAssist tool, which to this day does not have FDA approval and is not available in the US. At the moment, it is unsure if DermAssist will be shut down, upgraded, or completely replaced by the new dermatology tool.
2 billion people around the world have skin, hair, and nail conditions
- Google Health, DermAssist
With billions of users relying on Google’s search engine for information and assistance, the introduction of a new dermatology tool holds immense potential. This upcoming feature has the power to revolutionize the way people approach skincare and skin condition identification. Google can provide accessible and reliable dermatology-based guidance (not diagnoses) to individuals worldwide.
Effortless Trip Planning
Are you someone who loves going on vacation, but despises the planning aspect of it? Not to worry — Google has a solution for you.
By combining the Generative AI Pathways Language Model (PaLM) with Google APIs & technologies, the company introduced an open source demo for travel purposes, as seen in the above image.
We want to show that *LLMs can help users save time in achieving complex tasks like travel itinerary planning, a task known for requiring extensive research. We believe that the magic of LLMs comes from gathering information from various sources (Internet, APIs, database).
- Yiling Liu, Product Manager, Google Partner Innovation
*LLMs: Large Language Models (learn more here)
In terms of implementation, the architecture of the demo allows for easy integration with third parties such as booking APIs, producing a seamless travel tool from itinerary generation to booking recommendations.
With Google’s ongoing efforts in this field, the future of travel planning appears to be more convenient and efficient for vacation enthusiasts worldwide. By analyzing user data, historical patterns, and even external factors like weather conditions and popular events, Google could offer proactive suggestions and alerts in the future.
For example, the system could notify users of discounted flights or accommodations, recommend alternative routes in case of unforeseen circumstances, or even suggest personalized itineraries based on individual preferences and past travel behaviour. How convenient would that be?!
Next Steps for Bard
Google Bard is a multipurpose conversational tool that is able to respond to one’s questions/prompts, powered by Google’s PaLM 2 (as of May 2023).
As the tool is constantly being improved (see updates here), there are new use cases being realized by users everyday. The list below highlights some major updates coming soon:
- Accessibility: plans for Bard to be accessible in over 180 countries and support over 40 languages.
- Multimodal prompting: users will be able to import images alongside text when using Bard, and Bard will be able to return visual outputs.
- Coding upgrades: source citations, dark theme, and an export button to make developers happy.
- Service integration: the capabilities of Google apps and services such as Docs, Gmail, Maps as well as third-party integrations such as Adobe Firefly.
It is evident that the company is taking feedback very seriously when it comes to improving Bard, ensuring that the tool evolves to meet the ever-changing needs and expectations of its users.
Takeaways
Google’s new AI-based tools represent a significant leap forward in revolutionizing the applications of their powerful search tool. From providing real-time analyses of potential skin-related conditions to facilitating the tedious trip-planning process, it will be exciting to see what comes next at the forefront of innovation.
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This article was written for QMIND — Canada’s largest undergraduate community for leaders in the AI space.
