OpenAI has announced the official launch of its internet-browsing feature, Browse with Bing, for ChatGPT. This feature, which was previously in beta, allows ChatGPT users to search the web in real-time using the Bing search engine. The addition of internet browsing capabilities to ChatGPT marks a significant milestone for the generative AI chatbot, as it expands its functionality beyond text-based generation.
Historically, ChatGPT has been limited to data up until September 2021, making it impractical as a real-time search engine. However, OpenAI began experimenting with internet services for ChatGPT in March, bringing with it some inherent risks. Unlike static training datasets, the live web is not curated, which means there is a potential for abuse and algorithmic chaos.
In May, OpenAI started rolling out web search via Bing, initially available to ChatGPT mobile app users. However, this feature was quickly pulled after it was found that ChatGPT could display paywalled content. OpenAI has since fine-tuned ChatGPT to follow instructions from content owners, promising adherence to Robots.txt rules.
Now, Browse with Bing is available to all Plus and Enterprise subscribers without the need to toggle any beta switches in settings. This move signifies OpenAI’s commitment to expanding ChatGPT’s capabilities and making it a fully integrated, real-time, multimedia generative search engine.
In addition to Browse with Bing, OpenAI has also introduced DALL-E 3 in beta. DALL-E is a text-to-image generator that has been integrated with ChatGPT. Users can now request images as part of their text-based queries without switching between apps.
OpenAI’s goal is to enhance ChatGPT’s functionality beyond its text-based origins. The chatbot now supports verbal conversations, allowing users to interact with it using voice commands. This development brings together the worlds of voice assistants and large language models. Users can even ask ChatGPT to create and narrate a bedtime story for their children.
OpenAI is determined to push ChatGPT even further, making it a multimedia generative search engine. Users will soon be able to search for answers using images by uploading pictures of objects to discover their identity or find similar items.
OpenAI’s continuous expansion of ChatGPT’s capabilities reflects its commitment to providing users with a powerful and multifaceted AI chatbot. With real-time internet browsing, image generation, and voice interactions, ChatGPT aims to become an all-encompassing AI assistant capable of meeting diverse user needs.