OpenAI is about to shake up the artificial intelligence-powered search market with the imminent announcement of its new search product that will give Google a run for its money, Reuters reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The unveiling of this product, which raises the stakes in its competition with industry giant Google, is anticipated to occur on Monday, although the announcement date remains subject to change and has not been previously disclosed.
Reports from Bloomberg and the Information have shed light on OpenAI’s collaboration with Microsoft in developing this search product, backed by OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology. The aim is clear: to challenge Google’s dominance in the search engine arena, alongside other contenders like Perplexity, a well-funded AI search startup.
Although OpenAI has declined to comment on the matter, industry insiders anticipate the announcement to precede Google’s annual I/O conference, scheduled to commence on Tuesday. At this event, Google is expected to unveil a plethora of AI-related products, setting the stage for a head-to-head battle between the two tech titans.
OpenAI’s search product represents an expansion of its flagship ChatGPT product, integrating advanced AI models to source direct information from the web, complete with citations. ChatGPT, renowned for its human-like responses to text prompts, has long been touted as an alternative for gathering online information. However, it has faced challenges in providing accurate and real-time data from the web. Previous attempts to enhance its capabilities, such as ChatGPT plugins, have since been retired, indicating OpenAI’s relentless pursuit of innovation and improvement.
Meanwhile, startup Perplexity has emerged as a formidable player in the AI search space, boasting a valuation of $1 billion. Founded by a former OpenAI researcher, Perplexity has garnered attention for its AI-native search interface, which prioritizes citations in search results and incorporates images alongside text responses. With 10 million monthly active users, as reported in a January blog post, Perplexity poses a significant threat to established players like OpenAI and Google.
image source: openai logo by Depositphotos
Despite OpenAI’s earlier success in attracting users to ChatGPT, recent fluctuations in website traffic underscore the company’s need to expand its user base. As it gears up to introduce its new search product, OpenAI faces mounting pressure to deliver a seamless and reliable search experience that rivals the capabilities of its competitors.
Google pays Apple billions of dollars every year to be the default search engine in Safari on Macs, iPads, and iPhones, and to prevent the Cupertino giant from going into the web search business. The figure was recently put at $20 billion. However, in the ever-evolving artificial intelligence and search technology, OpenAI’s forthcoming announcement signals a new chapter in the quest for innovation and market dominance.
I asked ChatGPT why OpenAI is going into search, and it said the following:
ChatGPT’s venture into web search represents a strategic move aimed at expanding its capabilities and utility beyond its traditional role as a conversational AI tool. Several reasons drive ChatGPT’s interest in entering the web search space:
Meeting User Needs: Users increasingly rely on AI-powered tools like ChatGPT to access information quickly and conveniently. By integrating web search functionality, ChatGPT aims to provide a seamless experience where users can not only engage in conversation but also retrieve relevant information from the web in real time.
Enhancing User Experience: Incorporating web search capabilities allows ChatGPT to offer a more comprehensive and enriched user experience. Users can now leverage ChatGPT to not only generate human-like responses to text prompts but also access direct information from the web with citations, images, and other multimedia elements.
Addressing Limitations: ChatGPT has faced challenges in providing accurate and real-time information from the web in the past. By venturing into web search, ChatGPT aims to overcome these limitations and deliver more reliable and up-to-date information sourced directly from the web.
Competing with Established Players: With the dominance of search giants like Google, there is a growing demand for alternative search solutions that offer privacy, transparency, and user control. By entering the web search space, ChatGPT seeks to compete with established players by offering a unique proposition that leverages its advanced AI capabilities.
Diversifying Revenue Streams: Expanding into web search opens up new monetization opportunities for ChatGPT. By attracting more users and offering value-added services, ChatGPT can explore various revenue streams such as advertising, premium features, and partnerships with other businesses.
Overall, ChatGPT’s foray into web search aligns with its mission to push the boundaries of AI technology and provide users with innovative solutions for accessing information and engaging in meaningful conversations.