OpenAI has developed a search engine that will compete with Google, Bing and others. While its rivals are adding AI features, ChatGPT will be completely powered by AI, which will set it apart from its rivals. At the moment, the search engine from Sam Altman’s company is available to paid subscribers, but they plan to expand it to free, business and educational users soon.
ChatGPT is no longer a chatbot with AI, but has become a search engine that returns web results based on user queries. Although Internet users will be able to continue using it as a virtual assistant, the novelty of this OpenAI tool makes it a serious threat to Google and other search engines.
The news that the technology company was going to launch its own search engine has been known for some time. However, some said it would be an independent product and it has ended up being a new function for its chatbot, used by millions of people around the world.
Currently, only ChatGPT Plus users (those who pay for the subscription) can enjoy the new feature. However, OpenAI has announced that web search will be integrated into the existing chatbot interface for everyone in the coming weeks. That is, free, business and educational accounts will also have the search engine.
OpenAI
@OpenAI
🌐 Introducing ChatGPT search 🌐
ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before so you get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources.
https://t.co/7yilNgqH9T https://t.co/z8mJWS8J9c
October 31, 2024 • 18:01
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Examples of using the ChatGPT search engine
Before the official launch of the search engine on ChatGPT, OpenAI’s head of search, Adam Fry, demonstrated its capabilities. When he searched for Apple stock, the tool showed him an interactive chart of the stock, information about upcoming earnings, and important quotes from some articles along with links to the original sources. On one side, a list of websites with more data appeared.
Another example Fry tried was searching for Italian restaurants in San Francisco. As a result, the ChatGPT search engine shared an interactive map with recommended establishments marked. Additionally, if you are interested in getting more specific in your search, you can add more details. For example, Fry added that they were “more informal and neighborhood” and the AI corrected his response.
The search feature will be implemented in all versions of ChatGPT. On iOS, Android, and desktop apps for macOS and Windows. In addition, the head of OpenAI clarified that the novelty is “a combination of search technologies”, including Microsoft Bing, so the results will be adapted to what users request.
According to the company, they already tested a prototype called SearchGPT in July, which was available to 10,000 users. In recent months, developers have been improving their technology to ensure that your questions are resolved with the help of artificial intelligence. While Google has expanded its AI overview feature recently, ChatGPT is breaking new ground.
With the OpenAI option, the user will be able to avoid the promotional results that appear at the top of Google. As Fry specifies, there are currently “no plans” to add advertising to ChatGPT, so it is a clear advantage. It is still unknown how they will fund this feature for free users, but it has been said that they will have “some limits on how often they can use” the latest AI models.
In order to avoid problems with paid items, Fry has stressed that they are working “very closely.” This will ensure that the content offered is “really responsible.” Likewise, they detail that their search engine will not bypass any paywall.
