OpenAI Working On Web Search Feature For ChatGPT, May Challenge Google And Perplexity: Report

OpenAI is reportedly developing an advanced web search capability for its ChatGPT platform that could rival Google and emerging AI startup Perplexity, as per a Bloomberg report. 

This new feature would enable ChatGPT to fetch and cite information from the internet, enhancing its utility with accurate data drawn from sources like Wikipedia entries and blog posts. The enhanced capabilities include integrating images and diagrams into responses, making the AI tool more comprehensive for tasks such as explaining how to change a doorknob.

The buzz around this innovation has grown, especially after the discovery of a URL that hinted at a possible search feature. This URL briefly redirected visitors to OpenAI’s main ChatGPT page before showing a "not found" error, sparking further speculation among tech enthusiasts online.

The push for enhanced search functionalities in AI is increasingly becoming a focal point within the industry. Perplexity, for example, has achieved a notable presence and a USD 1 billion valuation through its emphasis on accurate AI-driven search results with reliable citations. Google is also set to update its search engine capabilities around its new Gemini AI models, expected to be unveiled at the upcoming annual I/O event.

Currently, OpenAI provides limited search functions to premium users, such as fetching real-time weather updates. However, this feature can experience inaccuracies.