OpenAI’s New Search Feature Shakes Up the AI Ecosystem: A Google Competitor in the Making?
The tech world is buzzing after OpenAI’s recent unveiling of its new, real-time search feature integrated directly into ChatGPT. Announced on Thursday, the feature is initially available only to paid users. OpenAI’s aims to bridge the gap between generative AI and internet search.
How OpenAI Search Works
In a blog post, OpenAI described how the feature blends AI-powered responses with real time web results. It answers user queries in natural language and citing sources for transparency. The AI decides when to include search results, but also users can initiate a search by clicking on the “globe” icon in the ChatGPT interface. The rolled out begin with ChatGPT Plus, Team, and SearchGPT waitlist users, then extend to Enterprise and Edu and eventually free users over the next few months.
Reliable Sources and Real-Time Information
To enhance accuracy and avoid AI’s “hallucinations,” OpenAI’s search scans licensed media sites, weather reports, blogs, and social media platforms. Partners include major publishers like the Associated Press, Condé Nast, Financial Times, News Corp, and Reuters. With these sources, OpenAI intends to deliver high-quality information.
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AI Experts’ Reactions: How Does ChatGPT Search Measure Up?
AI experts and analysts have voiced strong opinions. Conor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at NYU’s Stern School of Business, views OpenAI’s new model as a potential shift in search. “Google search is no longer the standard,” he noted, highlighting ChatGPT’s speed and its similarity to the Perplexity interface. He praised the feature for showing users to see where information comes from, saying, “It’s as if you’re reading ChatGPT’s mind.”
Sabrina Ramonov, a successful AI entrepreneur and creator of the Blotato, also praised the tool. While she appreciates ChatGPT’s clear citations, she still prefers Perplexity’s more flexible source selection for certain types of searches.
Why OpenAI Is Venturing into Search: Expert Insights
Opinions differ on OpenAI’s reason for this expansion. Ramonov suggested it addresses challenges in language models, especially “hallucinations” and the need for transparency. Citing sources helps users confirm information and dig deeper, she observed.
Grennan proposed that OpenAI aims to become a dominant tool in internet search, where Google currently leads. He explained, If people aren’t coming to OpenAI in large numbers yet, OpenAI’s strategy is to go where the people are — to offer a tool that’s potentially better than Google’s.”
Is OpenAI’s Tool a Google Search Killer?
While Ramonov has increasingly turned to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity over Google, she doesn’t see OpenAI entirely replacing Google. Grennan agreed, noting that while OpenAI offers a competitive tool, Google’s dominance is based on its vast user base and familiarity. However, he predicted that Google might eventually transition away from its traditional model, adding, “To keep up with ChatGPT search and Perplexity, Google will have to adapt and rethink its approach.”
Google’s Gemini AI on OpenAI Search: Pros, Cons, and Competition
Even Google’s Gemini AI has weighed in. According to Gemini, OpenAI’s tool is beneficial for its interactive design, citation transparency, and partnerships with top media sources. Drawbacks include limited comprehensiveness, reliance on third-party data providers, and access restrictions based on paid subscriptions.
Ultimately, each AI and human experts agree: OpenAI’s new seek function is a valuable addition to the hunt landscape. While it may not dethrone Google overnight, OpenAI is positioning itself as a worthy competitor within the evolving international of AI-powered search.
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