OpenAI has rolled out an AI search engine feature for ChatGPT, initially available to paid users, with plans to extend access to free, educational, and enterprise users in the near future. This addition allows users to obtain real-time web information directly within the platform.
Currently, users of ChatGPT Plus and Team can utilize this feature on chatgpt.com as well as on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Although there were earlier expectations for a standalone application named Search GPT, OpenAI decided to integrate this capability into ChatGPT itself. Users have the option to let the system conduct web searches based on their queries or to perform manual searches by clicking the web search icon.
This enhancement allows users to discover relevant information throughout their conversations and includes the ability for manual searches. This functionality strengthens OpenAI's position against competing AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. The search technology utilizes various models, including an improved version of GPT-4. In July, around 10,000 users participated in testing this feature.
OpenAI aims for this new functionality to simplify the process of finding desired information online. According to their blog, ChatGPT will generate responses based on the entire context of the conversation, and each chat will feature links to sources, such as news articles and blog posts, accessible via a source button.
Prior to this update, ChatGPT's knowledge was confined to information available from 2021 to 2023, depending on the specific version.
