OpenAI adds search functionality to ChatGPT to compete with Google and Microsoft

OpenAI has expanded the capabilities of its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT by adding new search functionality directly into the model.

Announced Thursday, the move positions OpenAI as a serious contender in the search market long dominated by tech giants like Google, and puts it in competition with Microsoft’s Bing and new platforms like Perplexity, the artificial intelligence search service backed by Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. .

The new feature allows ChatGPT to search the web and provide relevant and up-to-date answers with links to external sources.

How does this work

According to OpenAI, the model will determine when to search based on user suggestions, using data from third-party search providers and content from recognized partners.

“ChatGPT Search uses third-party search providers, as well as content provided directly by our partners, to provide information to users,” OpenAI explained in its blog.

The search function is integrated into the updated version of GPT-4 and is available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users starting Thursday.

OpenAI plans to roll out this feature to enterprise and education customers in the coming weeks and gradually make the feature free to users over the next few months.

Cooperation with major publishers

The artificial intelligence company has entered into several content agreements with major media organizations, including Condé Nast, Time Magazine, Financial Times, Axel Springer (owner of Business Insider), France’s Le Monde and Spain’s Prisa Media.

OpenAI emphasized that it worked closely with these publishers to gather feedback on the search feature. Additionally, any website or publisher can be included in ChatGPT search results.

This latest development follows OpenAI’s selective launch in July of a prototype called SearchGPT, which had real-time Internet access capabilities.

As OpenAI penetrates deeper into the search market, it will compete directly with Google’s established dominance and Microsoft’s investment in Bing, as well as new and innovative AI search players.

What you should know

In October, OpenAI received $6.6 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to approximately $157 billion.

This funding round strengthens OpenAI’s position as one of the most valuable private technology companies in the world, with CEO Sam Altman leading the startup’s ambitious projects in artificial intelligence innovation.
The funding round was led by Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm led by Josh Kushner, with participation from investors including Khosla Ventures, Altimeter Capital and Fidelity Management & Research Company.
Other backers include Microsoft Corp., which has already invested $13 billion in the startup, and Nvidia Corp., the chipmaker whose powerful processors are at the center of the artificial intelligence boom.

Global investors including SoftBank Group Corp. also attended the event. and new technology investment company MGX, headquartered in Abu Dhabi.