ChatGPT enhanced with real-time search feature

OpenAI has introduced a real-time AI-powered search feature to its popular ChatGPT platform. This new addition, initially available to paid subscribers and those on the waitlist for SearchGPT, will be extended to free users, educational institutions and enterprise clients in the coming weeks.

OpenAI has not launched a completely new application but integrated this search capability into the existing ChatGPT interface. Users can either rely on ChatGPT to automatically decide when to search the web based on their queries or they can manually activate a web search by clicking on a designated icon.

This feature is designed to streamline the access to web-based results during user interactions with ChatGPT. By doing so, OpenAI aims to position ChatGPT competitively alongside other AI-enabled tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, which have already offered real-time web access functionalities.

Presently, the search feature is operational on the ChatGPT platform, accessible via web browsers at chatgpt.com, and through dedicated desktop and mobile applications across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.

The development of this search function involved advanced search technologies, building upon a fine-tuned version of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model. Initially tested by a select group of around 10,000 users in July, the feature has now been refined for broader application.

This advancement by OpenAI is introduced amid intense competition in the AI space, particularly in the realm of search capabilities, as tech giants vie for superiority. Recently, Meta disclosed plans for its own AI-driven search solutions capable of integration with platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

OpenAI has articulated that this search enhancement was crafted to effectively distil valuable information from the web with minimal user effort. The integration allows for a more natural, conversational style of querying, with ChatGPT deciding, when necessary, to supplement responses with online information. Moreover, users can delve deeper into topics through follow-up questions, supported by ChatGPT’s ability to factor in conversational context for more comprehensive answers. Responses will also provide clickable source links, offering users additional content validation through news articles and blog posts featured in a dedicated sidebar upon selecting the Sources button.

Until recently, ChatGPT’s understanding was predominantly limited to information updated between 2021 and 2023. With the introduction of this live search capability, OpenAI promises continuous updates to its model’s informational database, ensuring users have access to the most current data available.

Source: Noah Wire Services