OpenAI has announced the testing of a new prototype named “SearchGPT.” The startup behind the renowned ChatGPT is exploring the integration of its advanced AI models with real-time web information to deliver quick and relevant answers to online queries.

SearchGPT is currently being tested by a select group of users and publishers, who are providing feedback to refine the features. The San Francisco-based company revealed in a blog post that the functionalities refined in the prototype would eventually be integrated into ChatGPT.

“Users will be able to interact with SearchGPT through conversational queries and follow up with additional questions, much like they would in a human conversation,” OpenAI stated.

Google recently introduced AI-generated summaries, dubbed “Overviews,” to its search engine, sparking concerns that this feature might reduce opportunities for serving up lucrative ads. These Overviews provide summarized information at the top of search results, preceding traditional links to websites, which Google believes best answers the user’s query.

OpenAI’s description of SearchGPT suggests a similar approach to Google’s Overviews. Since the debut of ChatGPT in late 2022, the industry has seen a rapid race to implement generative AI technologies capable of producing text, images, and other content from simple prompts.

“We are innovating at every layer of the AI stack,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai remarked during a recent earnings call for Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

OpenAI is collaborating with several publishers to fine-tune SearchGPT, ensuring it remains distinct from the training of its foundational generative AI models. Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, emphasized the importance of building AI search technology that respects and protects journalism and publishers.

“AI search is poised to become a key navigational tool for internet users, and it’s crucial that we develop this technology with respect for journalism and publishing in mind,” Thompson said in the blog post. “We look forward to partnering with OpenAI in this endeavor.”

OpenAI has invited interested users to join a waitlist to experience SearchGPT firsthand.

Source: Tech Xplore