OpenAI working on an AI search product to rival Google and Perplexity
OpenAI is reportedly working on a new feature for ChatGPT that can search the web and provide answers with citations, potentially competing with Google and Perplexity. Bloomberg cited a person familiar with the matter that the new feature would allow ChatGPT users to ask the chatbot questions and receive responses that incorporate information from sources like Wikipedia and blogs.
Enhanced Capabilities
Back in February, The Information reported on an OpenAI search product under development. However, the details of its working were scarce at the time. The new report, however, sheds some light on its capabilities. According to Bloomberg, one version of the feature could include images relevant to the queries, such as diagrams for instructional tasks, alongside written answers to better help users.
The source also uses an example to describe the new search product from OpenAI. For instance, if a user asks ChatGPT how to change a doorknob, the result might include a diagram to illustrate the process, the person familiar with the development told the publication.
Upcoming Search Feature
The speculations about OpenAI’s new search product started piling up when some users spotted the existence of a web page– search.chatgpt.com, treating it as an indicator of an upcoming search feature for ChatGPT. The URL, although not functional, is expected to facilitate web search, similar to Perplexity and Google’s AI-powered search results that focus on bringing information from the web with citations.
Competition in the AI Space
OpenAI is facing extreme competition in the AI space as more and more companies are coming out with chatbots that rival ChatGPT. As the industry is leaning towards search engines with AI-powered capabilities, it makes sense for OpenAI to develop a search product of its own.
Notably, even GPT-4-powered Bing Search has incorporated Copilot to present AI-powered answers for search queries in addition to the usual results. Currently, ChatGPT pulls up search results from the web for paid users and also provides citations in certain cases, but it is fairly limited compared to competitors.
