OpenAI unveiled a new search feature within its ChatGPT chatbot on Thursday, positioning itself to rival search giants like Google and Microsoft’s Bing. Known as “SearchGPT,” this real-time search engine offers up-to-date information on sports scores, stock quotes, news, and weather through partnerships with various news and data providers. This launch could potentially disrupt the search industry, posing new competition to both Google and Microsoft, which has invested billions into OpenAI despite the new tool’s direct competition with Bing.
ChatGPT Search Brings Real-Time Web Capabilities
ChatGPT’s new search feature is designed to deliver timely, conversational responses, allowing users to “search in a more natural, intuitive way,” according to OpenAI’s blog post. The feature began beta-testing in July, and its full rollout this week means ChatGPT can now perform real-time web searches, powered by a blend of third-party search providers, including Microsoft’s Bing. Srinivas Narayanan, OpenAI’s engineering VP, explained on Reddit that while Bing is a key provider, other services also contribute to the functionality of ChatGPT search.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed enthusiasm, calling search his “favorite feature we have launched” in ChatGPT since its debut. The new search capability allows users to conduct more complex research through natural follow-up questions, with ChatGPT drawing on OpenAI’s latest, most powerful AI model, GPT-4o, for enhanced accuracy and reasoning.
Partnerships with Major News Outlets Enhance Information Access
To build out ChatGPT Search, OpenAI has collaborated with reputable news sources, including The Associated Press, Reuters, Condé Nast, The Financial Times, and News Corp., among others. When users search within ChatGPT, responses now include source links that appear in a “Sources” sidebar, allowing users to verify and dive deeper into the content. This development not only enhances transparency but could also address one of the long-standing criticisms of AI chatbots—lack of clear sources for factual information.
OpenAI noted that it used user feedback from the initial prototype to enhance the final search product, planning to continue improving it, especially for complex queries related to shopping and travel.
Competitive Implications for Google and Microsoft
The launch of ChatGPT search has already impacted Google, with shares of Alphabet dipping 1% after the announcement. Since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, Alphabet investors have expressed concern about OpenAI’s potential to capture market share from Google by reshaping how people search for information. Microsoft, despite its $14 billion investment in OpenAI, may also see ChatGPT search as a competitor, as it directly challenges Bing and Microsoft’s own AI-powered tools like Copilot.
The ChatGPT search feature also suggests a significant shift in the AI space toward real-time data access and cross-functional tools that extend beyond static query responses. With ChatGPT expanding its capabilities, Microsoft’s and Google’s continued dominance in the search market could be tested as more users seek AI-driven, conversational search experiences.
Gradual Rollout for ChatGPT Users
Initially available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, as well as waitlisted SearchGPT users, ChatGPT search will extend to ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu users over the coming weeks. OpenAI plans to roll out the search function to users on the free version of ChatGPT in the coming months, potentially broadening access to millions of users.
Financials and Future Direction
OpenAI’s launch comes amid a period of rapid growth and considerable investment. Earlier this month, the company secured a new funding round, raising its valuation to $157 billion and adding $6.6 billion from major tech investors, alongside a $4 billion line of credit. However, the company is expected to report $5 billion in losses against $3.7 billion in revenue for the year, reflecting the substantial costs associated with scaling high-powered AI technologies. OpenAI’s pivot toward a for-profit model and recent executive departures have sparked some internal debate, with former safety team leader Jan Leike criticizing the focus on “shiny products” over safety measures.
With ChatGPT search, OpenAI steps further into the search engine arena, leveraging AI to redefine user interactions with real-time data. While it could reshape the landscape dominated by Google and Bing, the ultimate impact on the market remains to be seen. As OpenAI continues to evolve and attract funding, users and investors alike will watch closely to see how the tech disruptor’s AI search feature and strategic partnerships will influence the future of information access.
