OpenAI tests AI-powered search engine prototype ‘SearchGPT’

OpenAI has announced that it is testing “SearchGPT” a prototype of new search features that combines the power of its AI models with information from the web. The tool will be designed to give fast and timely answers backed with relevant sources.  

“We’re launching to a small group of users and publishers to get feedback. While this prototype is temporary, we plan to integrate the best of these features directly into ChatGPT in the future, said OpenAI. 

Those interesting in trying out the prototype can sign up for the waitlist, said the company. 

The new search engine prototype aims to reduce the effort taken to cull information from the web. “Getting answers on the web can take a lot of effort, often requiring multiple attempts to get relevant results. 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,” said OpenAI. 

SearchGPT will give quick and direct responses with up-to-date information from the web with links to relevant sources. 

Users will also be able to ask follow up questions, like in a conversation with shared context building each query.

“We are committed to a thriving ecosystem of publishers and creators. We hope to help users discover publisher sites and experiences, while bringing more choice to search. For decades, search has been a foundational way for publishers and creators to reach users. Now, we’re using AI to enhance this experience by highlighting high quality content in a conversational interface with multiple opportunities for users to engage,” said OpenAI. 

Furthermore, the tool is designed to help users connect with publishers by citing and linking to them in searches. The search results come with clear, in-line named attribution and links so that users know the source of the information and can quickly engage with even more results in a sidebar with source links.