In a potentially game-changing move, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is rumoured to be entering the web search arena. It looks like the company wants to challenge Google’s longstanding dominance. A report from The Information suggests that OpenAI has been quietly developing a web search product. The report claims that the information was shared by an anonymous insider.
While details about the project remain unclear, speculation is rife about whether the search tool will be seamlessly integrated into ChatGPT or introduced as a standalone product. OpenAI’s ambitious move into Google’s territory seems to bring a whole new experience to how we navigate the internet with search. If the rumours hold, we might witness a shift from the familiar phrase “Google it” to “OpenAI it”.
However, the authenticity of the claims is yet to be verified. OpenAI, itself, has not officially acknowledged the project. The company has been notoriously vigilant about leaks, even resorting to hiring investigators to address potential insider threats.
According to the insider, OpenAI’s search engine might leverage Microsoft’s Bing for certain functionalities. This makes sense with Microsoft’s substantial investments in OpenAI. Not to mention, Microsoft’s ongoing integration of GPT-based AI into various products like Bing Chat and Copilot.
The move follows OpenAI’s pattern of expanding the capabilities of ChatGPT which was initially limited by a data cutoff or silo. In recent months, OpenAI introduced web browsing features, utilizing Bing’s search capabilities. This strategic partnership with Microsoft suggests a collaborative effort to bring about a more contextual and conversational approach to web search. This approach could potentially surpass traditional keyword-focused engines.
Despite the challenges inherent in competing with Google’s established search dominance, OpenAI’s innovative approach and support from Microsoft may pave the way for a new way of searching. The emergence of a search tool with generative and contextual AI features introduces exciting possibilities for the future of search on the internet. However, we will still need to wait and see as OpenAI is playing its cards very close to its chest.
