OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google Push the Boundaries of Generative AI, While Amazon Remains Silent

OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are making waves in the world of generative AI with their advanced language models, ChatGPT and Bard. As these tech giants forge ahead, Amazon has been conspicuously silent on the subject, leaving many to wonder where the company stands in the generative AI race.

OpenAI's GPT-4: Multimodal Model with Human-Level Performance

OpenAI recently unveiled GPT-4, a large multimodal model capable of accepting image and text inputs and emitting text outputs. GPT-4, introduced in mid-March 2023, demonstrates human-level performance on a variety of professional and academic benchmarks. OpenAI has also implemented initial support for plugins in ChatGPT, which are designed with safety in mind and allow the AI to access up-to-date information, run computations, or use third-party services.

Microsoft Partners with OpenAI to Integrate ChatGPT into Microsoft 365

Microsoft has teamed up with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Microsoft 365 through Microsoft 365 Copilot. Copilot combines the power of large language models (LLMs), including GPT-4, with Microsoft 365 apps and business data in the Microsoft Graph. This integration turns natural language into a powerful productivity tool. Additionally, ChatGPT is available in preview in Azure OpenAI Service and incorporated it into their Bing search engine through Bing Chat. Microsoft has also extended its partnership with OpenAI, investing $10 billion in the creator of ChatGPT.

Google Bard: A Search-Focused AI Chatbot

Google has entered the AI chatbot arena with Google Bard, which uses a language model called Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA). Unlike ChatGPT's more generalist skill set, Bard is more search-focused, like the new Bing with ChatGPT. Bard has live access to the internet, while ChatGPT's knowledge is limited to information up to September 2021.

However, ChatGPT outshines Bard in terms of coherence and context-aware responses. Its real strength lies in text generation, making it an ideal creative companion. The new Plugins feature allows ChatGPT to connect to third-party apps and access up-to-date information, like live prices for flights or hotels. On the other hand, Bard cannot write code and is prone to hallucinations. While Google Bard lags behind ChatGPT in capabilities, it would be unwise to underestimate Google.

Amazon's Mysterious Stance on Generative AI

While Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged the potential of generative AI and models like ChatGPT in an interview with the Financial Times, he also mentioned that large, deeply technical companies like Amazon have been working on similar models for quite some time. Despite having AI and machine learning technology like Alexa, the voice assistant, and CodeWhisperer, a code recommendation generator, Amazon seems to be falling behind in the generative AI space.

Matt McIlwain, managing director of Madrona Venture Group—an early investor in Amazon—believes that Microsoft is in the lead, having captured significant mindshare in the AI industry. He emphasizes that Amazon needs a strategic response to the rise of intelligent and generative apps. Jassy hinted at pursuing partnerships with smaller firms to develop this area of the business but did not divulge any specifics.

Amazon's existing ventures in generative AI include Alexa, launched in 2014. David Limp, senior vice president for devices and services at Amazon, told the Times of London that the company is working to make Alexa more conversational, as it currently tends to be transactional and can only respond to questions. Limp acknowledged ChatGPT as a "healthy competitor" to Alexa but argued that Alexa's personality, memory, and knowledge of current events give it an edge over ChatGPT.

Limp cited Alexa's ability to answer detailed questions about events like the World Cup as an example of its real-time knowledge advantage. He also pointed out that Alexa is personalized, remembering user preferences such as favorite music.

Internal Use of ChatGPT at Amazon

According to Insider's Eugene Kim, Amazon employees have used internal Slack channels to inquire about using ChatGPT at work. Company lawyers have advised employees not to share confidential company data with ChatGPT after observing responses resembling Amazon's internal data. Kim reported that some employees have employed the chatbot as a "coding assistant," asking it to improve internal lines of code.

The Future of Generative AI

As OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google continue to push the boundaries of generative AI with their groundbreaking models, Amazon's position remains uncertain. While the company acknowledges the potential of generative AI, its lack of public developments in the space has raised concerns about its competitive standing.

With the rapid advancements in AI technology, it is crucial for tech giants like Amazon to stay on top of trends and innovations. The race for supremacy in generative AI will likely heat up in the coming years, and Amazon's strategic response will be crucial to maintain its position as a leading technology company.