Google reveals new AI tools and features for Workspace, Search, and Bard

Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, kicked off yesterday with a keynote that showcased some of the latest innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Here are some of the highlights:

LaMDA: A new language model for open-ended conversations

Google introduced LaMDA, a new natural language understanding model that can engage in open-ended conversations on any topic.

Unlike most chatbots trained on specific domains or tasks, LaMDA can handle a wide range of queries and responses, using its knowledge of the world and its ability to generate natural and coherent sentences. Google demonstrated LaMDA’s conversational skills by having it talk about Pluto, paper airplanes, and art.

MUM: A new multimodal model for complex queries

Google also unveiled MUM, a new multimodal model that can understand and answer complex queries that involve multiple modalities, such as text, images, video, and audio. MUM stands for Multitask Unified Model, and it is built on the same Transformer architecture as BERT but is 1000 times more powerful. MUM can not only process different types of information but also integrate them and generate useful insights.

For example, MUM can answer a question like “I’ve hiked Mt. Adams and now want to hike Mt. Fuji next fall; what should I do differently to prepare?” by analyzing text and images from various sources and providing relevant suggestions.

Project Starline: A new immersive video conferencing system

Google also revealed Project Starline, a new immersive video conferencing system that uses high-resolution cameras, custom-built depth sensors, and advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques to create a realistic 3D representation of a person that can be viewed from different angles and perspectives.

Project Starline aims to make remote communication more natural and engaging, by enabling people to see each other in life-size and eye-to-eye. Google has been testing Project Starline internally and plans to expand its availability to select partners later this year.

These are just some of the AI updates Google announced at Google I/O, showing off its creativity and leadership in the field. Google also shared its progress in other areas, such as privacy, accessibility, sustainability, and education. You can watch the full keynote and other sessions on the Google I/O website.