OpenAI has entered the search engine market with SearchGPT, an innovative AI-powered search tool that promises real-time information access across the web. Unlike traditional search engines that list links, SearchGPT organizes and interprets information for users.
The tool, currently in its prototype phase, is limited to 10,000 test users. It leverages the GPT-4 model and collaborates with third-party partners to enhance search results. OpenAI aims to integrate SearchGPT’s features into ChatGPT eventually. This move positions OpenAI as a potential competitor to Google, which is also integrating AI into its search functionalities, and to Perplexity, a startup known for its AI-driven answers.
A standout feature of SearchGPT is “visual answers,” which includes AI-generated videos and images. OpenAI has developed SearchGPT in collaboration with major news organizations like The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press, ensuring content creators can manage how their material appears in search results. This collaboration is part of OpenAI’s strategy to address concerns about content misuse, a challenge faced by competitors like Perplexity.
OpenAI’s blog highlights that SearchGPT offers clear attributions and links, promoting transparency and user engagement with original sources. By launching SearchGPT as a prototype, OpenAI can manage errors and refine the tool based on user feedback. The prototype phase also helps mitigate issues like incorrect information or content misappropriation, providing a buffer against potential criticism.
The development of SearchGPT has been anticipated for months, with reports emerging about its progress since February. OpenAI has actively recruited talent from Google to strengthen its search capabilities. SearchGPT’s release marks a significant step in OpenAI’s strategy to enhance real-time web interactions, building on previous efforts like the “Browse with Bing” feature introduced last September.
Despite its rapid growth and millions of users, OpenAI faces substantial operational costs. The Information reported that AI training and inference could cost up to $7 billion this year. With SearchGPT initially offered for free and without ads, OpenAI will need to devise a sustainable monetization strategy to support its ambitious expansion.
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