OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Search to Challenge Google with Real-Time Web Integration

Oct 31, 2024, 05:12 PM

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Search, codenamed 'Fanny Pack', a new feature that integrates web search functionality into its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT. This update, an evolution of the SearchGPT prototype first announced in July 2024, allows users to access up-to-date information from the web directly within the chat interface, providing timely answers with links to relevant web sources. The feature, built on a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o using novel synthetic data generation techniques, including distilling outputs from OpenAI o1-preview, is currently rolling out to all ChatGPT Plus and Team users, as well as SearchGPT waitlist users. Enterprise and Education users will gain access in one week, and free users will receive the update over the coming months. By integrating real-time web search capabilities, powered by Microsoft's Bing and leveraging third-party search providers and content from partners, ChatGPT can now provide information on a wide range of topics, including breaking news, stock market shifts, live sports scores, weather alerts, and more. The introduction of ChatGPT Search, available at chat.openai.com and on desktop and mobile apps, positions OpenAI in direct competition with search engine giants like Google and AI-powered search startups like Perplexity. The move signifies a significant step in the evolving landscape of AI and search engines, potentially redefining the way users access information.