Google executives may be fearing the worst once again as Microsoft-backed rival OpenAI launches a new AI-powered search tool.
‘SearchGPT’, which is being tested as a prototype before a wider release, scans the web for live news and information much like Google Search.
OpenAI says the new product is particularly useful for queries about current events, recent developments, or specific information that ChatGPT might not know about.
Social media users have pointed out the parallels with the world’s largest search engine, with one saying: “Google Search is definitely in trouble.”
Another said: ‘Anyone who’s been paying attention knows there will be a new search king in 10 years.
SearchGPT is a new artificial intelligence tool from OpenAI, the California-based tech company behind ChatGPT. It is currently being tested with a small group of users and offers “fast and timely answers” using clear and relevant online sources.
OpenAI says it is testing SearchGPT with a “small group of users and publishers” to get feedback before broader deployment.
MailOnline has contacted OpenAI for more information on when this might happen, but it did not comment further.
in a blog entryOpenAI said SearchGPT will provide users with “fast, timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”
“Getting answers on the web can require a lot of effort and often multiple attempts to get relevant results,” he said.
We believe that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of our models with real-time information from the web, finding what you’re looking for can be faster and easier.
Sam Altman, CEO of the technology company, said that “there is room to make search much better than it is today.”
He published in X“We will learn from the prototype, improve it and then integrate the technology into ChatGPT to make it real-time and as useful as possible.”
Compared to its famous sibling, SearchGPT focuses more on searching the web for the latest news, trends, and data, as well as presenting web links to relevant online sources.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is more geared towards “conversational interactions,” helping with problem-solving, advice, mentoring, and accessing old information.
Although it has revolutionized the way we access information online, ChatGPT sometimes struggles to access the most up-to-date information and also tends to give inaccurate answers.
In a blog post, OpenAI said SearchGPT will provide users with “fast, timely answers with clear, relevant sources.”
It could prove to be another headache for rival Google, which declared a “code red” – an emergency situation – shortly after the launch of ChatGPT (file photo)
Earlier this year, eagle-eyed tech fans also discovered that OpenAI had created a domain for search.chatgpt.com.
The domain now takes users to the SearchGPT homepage, where they can register to be eligible to use the tool by clicking “Join Waitlist.”
If you are already registered with ChatGPT, your email will be taken to place you on the SearchGPT waiting list, but if you are not, you will be asked to register with ChatGPT first.
It warns: ‘Access is limited. If you select this option, you will receive an email.’
OpenAI said it plans to integrate the best features of SearchGPT directly into ChatGPT in the future.
Among those who have already tried it, the response seems to be mixed.
JL Patten, founder of financial site Intrder, said it’s fast, easy to use and allows you to “have real conversations with your search.”
But Neil Patel, director of digital marketing agency NP Digital, said it “looks like a mediocre search engine”.
If you’re interested in using SearchGPT, you can head to the official website and join a waiting list, but it warns that “access is limited.”
Social media users have pointed out the parallels with the world’s largest search engine, with one saying: “Google Search is definitely in trouble.” Another said: “Anyone who’s been paying attention knows there will be a new search king in 10 years.”
“It doesn’t seem revolutionary and doesn’t give a good reason for people to switch from Google to SearchGPT,” he posted on X.
He added: “Just because ChatGPT is successful doesn’t mean SearchGPT will be.”
In any case, SearchGPT should be causing yet another headache for Google’s top executives, who fear for their monopoly on the $150 billion-a-year search business.
Following OpenAI’s new announcement, shares of Google’s parent company Alphabet fell 2 percent.
Compared to its famous sibling, SearchGPT focuses more on scanning the Internet for the latest news, trends, and data, as well as presenting web links to relevant online sources.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said his company believes “there is room to improve search than it is today.”
Shortly after OpenAI launched ChatGPT over a year ago, Google internally declared a “code red” (an emergency situation) and rushed to develop an equivalent product.
The result, formerly known as Bard but soon rebranded as Gemini, works much like ChatGPT with conversational responses, but has been plagued with problems.
In February, Google had to pause Gemini after being accused of replacing white historical figures, including Nazi soldiers, with people of color.
