OpenAI is launching SearchGPT, a new AI-powered search engine that provides real-time access to information across the internet. Unlike traditional search engines, SearchGPT organizes and summarizes search results, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.
The search engine starts with a simple prompt: “What are you looking for?” It then returns a summary of its findings, along with short descriptions and attribution links. For example, if you search for music festivals, the engine will provide a list of events, each with a brief description and a link to the source article.
SearchGPT is still in its prototype phase and will only be accessible to 10,000 test users at launch. The service is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 models and is designed to eventually integrate with ChatGPT.
OpenAI has taken steps to ensure that SearchGPT is different from other AI-powered search engines, such as Perplexity, which has faced criticism for allegedly ripping off article content. OpenAI has collaborated with news partners, including the owners of The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and Vox Media, to develop its search engine.
Publishers will have control over how their content is used in SearchGPT results, and they can opt out of having their content used to train OpenAI’s models. All responses will include clear attribution and links, allowing users to quickly engage with more relevant information.
By releasing SearchGPT as a prototype, OpenAI can test the service without worrying about widespread adoption or potential issues with accuracy. The company is also working on monetizing the feature, although it has no ads currently.
SearchGPT represents a significant step forward for OpenAI, which has been rapidly expanding its capabilities and user base. However, the company’s costs are also increasing, with estimates suggesting that AI training and inference costs could reach $7 billion this year.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/25/24205701/openai-searchgpt-ai-search-engine-google-perplexity-rival