OpenAI is entering the search game.OpenAI is developing a search engine for ChatGPT, giving users the ability to crawl the web for answers to their questions, Bloomberg reports. Sources also tell The Verge that OpenAI has been aggressively trying to poach Google employees for a team that is working hard to ship the product soon.
The feature would let ChatGPT users search the web and cite sources in its results.
According to bloomberg, OpenAI is in the process of developing a feature for ChatGPT that can browse the internet and provide citations from sources, potentially positioning it in direct competition with Google from Alphabet Inc. and the AI search startup Perplexity.
The proposed feature would enable users to pose questions to ChatGPT and receive responses incorporating information from the web, complete with citations to sources like Wikipedia entries and blog posts. Additionally, one iteration of the feature includes visual aids, such as images, to complement textual responses where applicable. For example, if a user asks ChatGPT for instructions on changing a doorknob, the results might include a diagram illustrating the process.
The Information initially reported on the development of a search feature in February, but specifics regarding its functionality have not been previously disclosed. OpenAI declined to provide comment on the matter.
With an increasing number of competitors entering the chatbot space, OpenAI faces mounting pressure to enhance the capabilities of its flagship product. Search functionality has emerged as a focal point within the AI industry, evidenced by the rising popularity and substantial valuation of Perplexity, which prioritizes accuracy and source citations in its AI-powered search engine. Meanwhile, Google is actively pursuing AI-driven advancements in its core search experience and is anticipated to unveil its latest plans for Gemini AI models at its upcoming annual I/O event.
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