The advent of AI technology has ushered in a transformative era across industries, and the world of work is no exception. Well-funded AI initiatives like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google's Google Bard are revolutionizing the way we communicate, generate content, and even the way we search for information. The stakes are high as these AI powerhouses are not just facilitating change, they are challenging the norms.

Google's entry into generativeAI

OpenAI's ChatGPT has emerged as a contender to the monolith that is Google Search. Since its launch on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT has gained significant adoption, fostering creativity and productivity across diverse fields of work. Google, however, isn’t standing idle. The tech giant announced Google Bard general availability at the annual Google I/O on May 10, 2023.

Google Bard boasts some features that differentiate it from ChatGPT, such as native internet access (ChatGPT offers an early version of this with a paid plan) and Google's vast database that boosts its search ability. Yet, can it catch up with the already established ChatGPT?

What our data shows

At Cyberhaven, we have a unique perspective on how people use technology in the workplace. Our Cyberhaven Labs team analyzed usage statistics for 1.6 million workers, granting us invaluable insights into how these AI technologies, particularly ChatGPT and Google Bard, are utilized in the workplace. Previously, our team analyzed sensitive data going to ChatGPT.

Our data provides a snapshot of an interesting narrative. As of June 1, 2023, Google Bard's usage trailed significantly behind ChatGPT’s, merely matching the usage ChatGPT recorded back in January. The usage of ChatGPT at work is averaging around 30 times higher than that of Bard, indicating a strong preference among workers for the OpenAI tool.

Diving deeper into the data, we find some interesting trends. Following its launch, ChatGPT's adoption rate rose steadily, hitting a peak in February 2023, demonstrating how rapidly employees integrated the tool into their work. This was well before Google Bard was available, giving ChatGPT a significant head start. Despite Google Bard's widespread availability in May, it has yet to make a substantial dent in ChatGPT’s usage rates, implying that while Bard has been met with interest, it still has a long way to go to compete with ChatGPT’s established user base.

It is important to note, however, that this is only the initial period following Google Bard's launch. While it currently trails ChatGPT, the dynamics may evolve as more users explore and understand its capabilities. Moreover, the overlap between Bard’s features and Google's robust ecosystem may provide it an edge in the long run.

{{ promo }}

The AI wars have just begun

As the "AI Wars" between these tech giants heat up, expect the rapid pace of AI advancements to shake the foundations of how we work and how we understand internet search. The growing adoption of these AI tools raises important questions about our relationship with technology, data security, and the future of work. What was once taken for granted – from internet search to workplace data privacy – is poised to change dramatically.

As we navigate this rapidly changing landscape, it’s clear that the battle between ChatGPT and Google Bard is more than a race for user adoption. It's a testament to how AI is reshaping our world and a prelude to the transformative possibilities AI holds for our future. Stay tuned as we continue to analyze, interpret, and provide insights on these unfolding trends.