OpenAI’s AI-powered search engine is here to compete with Google, Perplexity
OpenAI on Thursday launched a temporary prototype of an artificial intelligence (AI) search engine called SearchGPT. The announcement comes just a day after Microsoft rolled out its Bing generative search. Currently, SearchGPT is available in limited numbers, with access to a small group of users and publishers. The company has also opened a waiting list for others to sign up for the platform. The AI company’s latest offering will compete with other players in the AI search space, such as Google’s AI Overviews and Perplexity AI.
OpenAI SearchGPT Features
In a after OpenAI announced its entry into the search engine space on its website. The company said: “We’re testing SearchGPT, a prototype of new search features designed to combine the power of our AI models with information from the web to give you fast, timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”
Based on images shared by the AI company, the SearchGPT interface will feature a large text box and a button to initiate the search. This will activate the search results page with a minimalistic interface. At the top, users will be able to see images, tables, and other charts relevant to their search query. Below that, the information will be displayed in paragraphs and bullet points. At the bottom, users will see the sources from which the information was pulled in small rectangular tiles.
OpenAI says its Search product aims to solve the challenge of finding answers on the web in one go. SearchGPT, according to the AI company, uses the conversational capabilities of its AI models with real-time information pulled from the web. SearchGPT will also allow users to ask follow-up questions, as the AI pulls context from previous searches to refine and refine answers. The company did not disclose details of the AI model used for the tool.
The rise of AI-powered search engines has raised concerns about declining traffic among publishers, bloggers and website owners. OpenAI has allayed concerns, saying it has partnered with publishers to build SearchGPT and continues to seek their feedback. It has also said it will launch a way for publishers to manage how they appear in SearchGPT.
“Importantly, SearchGPT is about search and is separate from the training of OpenAI’s foundational generative AI models. Sites can appear in search results even if they choose not to undergo generative AI training,” OpenAI added.
