OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) company backed by Microsoft, is making waves in the tech world with its latest development – a new search feature that aims to rival Google as the go-to search engine. The company is working on adding new powers to its AI bot, ChatGPT, by incorporating real-time information into its responses to user queries.
Currently available to a limited number of users in the US, the new search feature allows ChatGPT to provide up-to-date information and links in response to user questions. OpenAI believes that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of its models with real-time information from the web, finding what you’re looking for can be faster and easier.
Analysts have long argued that AI chatbots are the future of search, and Google has been racing to add AI-powered tools of its own. The announcement of OpenAI’s new search feature caused shares in Google’s parent company, Alphabet, to drop nearly 3%.
Despite the competition, Google remains the dominant player in the search market, claiming more than 90% globally. Other AI companies are also pursuing search products, but OpenAI’s latest development has caught the attention of industry experts.
However, the expansion of AI has raised environmental concerns due to the energy consumption of these systems. Additionally, changes in how search engines respond to queries, such as offering conversational paragraphs instead of directing users to links, have raised alarm among news companies that rely on search traffic for audiences and revenue.
OpenAI is working with publishers, including the Atlantic and News Corp, on its new search feature to ensure a thriving ecosystem of publishers and creators. The company has also announced partnerships with outlets like the Associated Press, emphasizing that media companies can still be featured in search results even if they choose not to supply their content to train OpenAI’s model.
As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI technology, the competition with Google and other tech giants in the search market is heating up. With the potential to revolutionize the way we search for information online, OpenAI’s new search feature is definitely one to watch in the coming months.
