OpenAI has launched a prototype of its new search engine, SearchGPT, to provide users with quick, accurate answers supported by clear and relevant sources.
The company aims to eventually integrate SearchGPT into its popular ChatGPT chatbot, improving how users interact with search tools.
This development is significant for the search engine market, particularly for Google, which currently dominates the field.
Since ChatGPT’s debut in November 2022, there has been speculation about OpenAI’s potential to disrupt Google’s market share by offering new ways to access information.
The launch of SearchGPT marks a step in this direction, promising a more natural and intuitive search experience akin to a conversational interaction.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: “We think there is room to make search much better than it is today.”
Following this announcement, Google’s parent Alphabet saw a more than 3 percent decline in its stock, closing at $167.28.
Google introduced its AI Overview feature in May, which CEO Sundar Pichai described as the most significant change in search in 25 years.
However, this feature faced criticism for producing nonsensical or inaccurate responses without offering users a way to opt-out.
It raises concerns about Google’s handling of generative AI technology.
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Daniel Faggella, head of research at Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research, said: “Google has been kind of shaking in their boots a little bit since this stuff first popped off.
“We haven’t seem their company crumble in the interim, but we have seen them kind of fumble.”
“We think there is room to make search much better than it is today”
While the company has not faced a dramatic decline, it has encountered challenges adapting to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The announcement of SearchGPT coincides with OpenAI’s launch of a new AI model, GPT-4o mini, an offshoot of its most advanced model, GPT-4o.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft and valued at over $80 billion, is focused on maintaining its leadership in the generative AI market.
The company recently expanded its executive team and partnered with Apple to integrate ChatGPT with Siri.
