Quick Hit:

OpenAI has unveiled SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine poised to challenge Google and Perplexity. The prototype will be available to 10,000 users initially, with plans to integrate it into ChatGPT.

Key Details:

• SearchGPT organizes and summarizes search results instead of just listing links.
• The prototype will be accessible to 10,000 test users and is powered by the GPT-4 family of models.
• OpenAI has collaborated with news organizations like The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and Vox Media.

Diving Deeper:

OpenAI has announced the launch of SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine designed to revolutionize the way users access information online. Positioned as a competitor to Google's AI-enhanced search features and Perplexity's AI "answer" engine, SearchGPT aims to provide a more intuitive and organized search experience.

The search engine features a large textbox prompting users with “What are you looking for?” Unlike traditional search engines that return a list of links, SearchGPT synthesizes and organizes information. For example, it can summarize details about music festivals and provide brief descriptions followed by attribution links. It also offers follow-up question capabilities and a sidebar for additional relevant links.

SearchGPT's "visual answers" feature remains somewhat mysterious, as OpenAI has yet to elaborate on its exact workings. However, it is known to include AI-generated videos and images relevant to user queries.

Initially, SearchGPT will be available as a prototype to 10,000 test users. Powered by the GPT-4 family of models, the service will utilize third-party partners and direct content feeds to enhance search results. According to OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood, the long-term goal is to integrate SearchGPT’s features into ChatGPT.

This development signifies a notable threat to Google, which has been hastily incorporating AI elements into its search engine to stay competitive. It also places OpenAI in direct rivalry with Perplexity, a startup recently criticized for its AI summaries feature allegedly plagiarizing content.

In response to such controversies, OpenAI has taken a collaborative approach, working with various news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and Vox Media. OpenAI emphasizes that SearchGPT was developed with substantial input from these partners. Publishers will have control over how their content is used and can opt out of training OpenAI’s models while still being included in search results.

OpenAI's blog post highlights that SearchGPT aims to connect users with publishers by providing clear, in-line attributions and links, ensuring transparency about information sources. This approach is designed to foster engagement with original content via a sidebar filled with source links.

The prototype release allows OpenAI to refine the product before a full-scale launch. Should SearchGPT deliver inaccurate results or attribution errors, the prototype status provides a cushion for user feedback and adjustments.

The development of SearchGPT has been anticipated for months, with earlier reports from The Information and Bloomberg hinting at its creation. OpenAI has also been actively recruiting Google employees for its search team.

With the introduction of SearchGPT, OpenAI continues to bridge the gap between ChatGPT and real-time web access. Previously, ChatGPT was limited by outdated information, but recent advancements like "Browse with Bing" have paved the way for more sophisticated integrations.

Despite its popularity, OpenAI faces significant costs, with AI training and inference expenses potentially reaching $7 billion this year. While SearchGPT will be free initially, OpenAI will need to establish a monetization strategy, as the feature currently lacks advertisements.

As OpenAI pushes forward with SearchGPT, the search landscape is set for significant shifts, challenging established players and setting new standards for AI-driven information retrieval.