In a move towards enhancing the digital experience for teenagers, Google has announced the availability of its AI chatbot, Bard, for teens in various countries, incorporating safety guardrails to ensure a secure environment.
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Tulsee Doshi, Head of Product, Responsible AI at Google, mentioned that access to Bard in English will be granted to teenagers meeting the minimum age requirement for managing their Google Account, with plans to expand language support in the future.
Interactive Learning and Exploration:
Teens can leverage Bard to find inspiration, explore new hobbies, and solve everyday problems. The chatbot serves as a valuable learning tool, enabling teenagers to delve deeper into subjects, grasp complex concepts, and practice new skills in personalized ways.
To enhance interactive learning, Google is integrating a math learning experience into Bard, allowing users to input or upload math equations for step-by-step explanations.
Prior to the launch for teens, Google consulted with child safety and development experts, including the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), to shape content policies and prioritize safety in the Bard experience. FOSI’s insights emphasized the importance of GenAI skills for teens’ future, acknowledging the need for responsible use of generative AI.
Addressing Inappropriate Content and Misinformation:
To ensure a safe online environment, Bard has undergone training to recognize and filter inappropriate content for younger users. Safety features and guardrails have been implemented to prevent the display of unsafe content, including illegal or age-restricted substances, in responses to teens.
Recognizing the potential for large language models (LLMs) to generate inaccurate or nonsensical information, Google has introduced a double-check response feature for fact-based questions to verify the content’s credibility across the web.
Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, highlighted the relevance of GenAI skills for teens’ future and the collaborative efforts to address concerns about generative AI use and its limitations.
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As Google introduces Bard to the teen audience, the focus remains on fostering a positive and secure digital experience, aligning with responsible AI practices and incorporating valuable insights from safety experts and user feedback.