Microsoft and Google have recently made major investments in two of the most valuable companies in artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, received an impressive investment of US$10 billion (approximately Rs. 81,807 crore) from Microsoft, while Google invested US$300 million (approximately Rs. 2,460 crore) in Anthropic.
Companies’ financial backing of AI has propelled an ongoing rivalry into the public spotlight. Google’s struggle for dominance with Microsoft is increasingly at the forefront of discussions about AI’s future success.
Google has made enormous contributions to the field of AI development, including the invention of transformers – a particular form of machine learning, where an algorithm improves tasks as it is “trained” on data – the advancement of techniques to automate language translation and the acquisition of AI company DeepMind.
While Google has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of AI development, a significant milestone has been reached with the introduction of ChatGPT. California-based company OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022 and a more advanced version, GPT-4, was released in February 2023.
The arrival of ChatGPT sparked widespread discussion about artificial general intelligence (AGI) – where machines trump human intellect.
This was also the focus of warnings from Geoffrey Hinton, an influential figure in AI, who has given several interviews describing his concerns about the technology after resigning from Google earlier this year.
Consequently, the number of research papers focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs) – the type of AI technology ChatGPT is based on – has increased. Other areas of AI research, such as dialogue systems and information retrieval, are likely to miss out.
Amidst this rapid technological disruption, it appears that Google fears losing its technological edge and market dominance.
Contradictory position?
This concern is not unwarranted. ChatGPT, made by a direct competitor, made use of Google’s pioneering Internet search techniques to generate significant profits. Furthermore, the influx of talent from Google to OpenAI – along with the latter’s rapid growth – has become a worrying trend for the search giant.
When OpenAI was founded, one of its principles was to make software “open source”, where the software is publicly available, allowing developers to share and modify it. Google, for its part, has maintained a relatively consistent business approach to its plans and ambitions.
However, OpenAI’s recent shift towards commercialism and closed-source practices seems to contradict its original corporate philosophy.
Some industry experts have criticized OpenAI for its somewhat contradictory stance.
While it bills itself as an advocate for open source AI, it is undeniably a commercial entity, a fact it does not readily admit.
This tension between OpenAI’s public image and business reality made the rivalry with Google all the more intriguing.
A likely outcome of this competition is the continued evolution and refinement of AI technology, spurred by the need to stay ahead of the game.
Google’s techniques, once exploited by OpenAI for commercial gain, are likely to see further innovation.
This evolution will not only enhance the functionality of AI applications, but also greatly improve the user experience.
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s corporate vice president, recently indicated that the company didn’t feel the need to reshape the search landscape, as even a single point increase in market share represented a $2 billion increase in value.
This strategic downsizing may be an attempt to lessen competitive pressures in the technology industry.
stronger scrutiny
It’s worth noting that Microsoft’s association with OpenAI adds another layer to this complex rivalry. Google has also shown a willingness to invest in outside AI projects to extend its influence.
For example, the company’s investment in Anthropic, an AI research company, reflects Google’s strategy to maintain its technological leadership through strategic partnerships.
One concern that resonates with many people, myself included, is the potential for misinformation, misinformation, and distortion created by ChatGPT. With over 200 million users, it serves around 2.53% of the global population.
Widespread misinformation on social media significantly eroded trust in online content and reportedly influenced the 2016 US presidential election.
With such a vast user base for ChatGPT, it is conceivable that technology companies could manipulate conversations, subtly influencing users’ preferences and decisions in various ways.
Therefore, the need for closer scrutiny and regulation of these great linguistic models is becoming more and more urgent.
Despite growing competition for AI, Google remains a respected entity in the global tech industry.
The AI rivalry between Google and Microsoft has pushed both companies to push the boundaries of this technology, promising exciting advances in the coming years.
The various strategies employed in this competition, from talent acquisition to strategic investments, reflect the importance of stakes in the AI landscape. Specifically, acquiring the best talent allows these companies to enhance their AI capabilities, giving them a competitive edge.
Strategic investments, on the other hand, allow you to diversify and expand into new AI applications and sectors, increasing your influence and market share in the AI field.
These actions highlight the high value and potential of AI technology to shape our future.