On Thursday, OpenAI introduced a new search capability within ChatGPT, its popular AI-powered chatbot, aiming to strengthen its position against search giants like Google, Microsoft’s Bing, and Perplexity.
Named SearchGPT, this feature leverages real-time web searches and collaborations with data and news partners to provide instant access to live sports scores, stock updates, current events, weather forecasts, and more. OpenAI initially began testing SearchGPT in beta mode back in July.
This launch might impact Google’s standing as the leading search engine. Since ChatGPT debuted in November 2022, Alphabet investors have voiced worries that OpenAI could disrupt Google’s market share in search by offering users alternative methods to find information online. Following the announcement, Alphabet’s stock saw a slight drop of approximately 1%.
This shift also places OpenAI in closer competition with Microsoft and its range of services. Although Microsoft has invested nearly $14 billion in OpenAI, OpenAI’s offerings rival Microsoft’s own AI and search tools, like Bing and Copilot.
During a Reddit AMA on Thursday, OpenAI’s VP of Engineering, Srinivas Narayanan, responded to a user query about whether ChatGPT’s search functionality relies on Bing. He clarified, “We use a set of services, and Bing is an important one.”
In a post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed excitement about the new search feature, calling it his “favorite feature we have launched” since ChatGPT’s initial release.
According to OpenAI, the feature lets users “search in a more natural, intuitive way” and continue with follow-up questions “as if in a conversation.”
This search function is powered by a specially fine-tuned version of OpenAI’s most advanced model, GPT-4, and relies on partnerships with third-party search providers and news content sources.
Altman in an AMA also shared that he sees this new search as a “faster and easier way” to find the information he needs. He noted that it will especially benefit queries involving complex research and hinted at a future where search results could dynamically create custom web pages.
OpenAI further explained that it developed the feature using insights from its SearchGPT prototype and plans to “continuously improve search, particularly for shopping and travel.” They also intend to tap into the reasoning power of the OpenAI o1 series to enable even more in-depth research.
According to an OpenAI blog post, ChatGPT will now “automatically search the web based on what you ask.” Users also have the option to initiate a web search themselves by clicking the search icon within ChatGPT.
Responses now come with links to relevant sources, such as articles or blog posts, accessible by clicking the “Sources” button, which opens a sidebar for easy reference.
OpenAI collaborated with numerous news partners, including The Associated Press, Reuters, Axel Springer, Condé Nast, Hearst, Dotdash Meredith, the Financial Times, News Corp., Le Monde, The Atlantic, Time, and Vox Media, to enhance this feature.
Related News You May Like