Google executives may once again be fearing the worst as Microsoft-backed rival OpenAI launches a new AI-based search tool.
‘SearchGPT’, which is being tested as a prototype before being rolled out more broadly, scours the web for live news and information, just like Google Search.
According to OpenAI, the new product is especially useful for questions about current events, recent developments, or specific information that ChatGPT may not know.
Social media users have noticed similarities with the world’s largest search engine, with one saying: ‘Google Search is definitely in trouble’.
Another said, “Anyone who pays attention knows that within 10 years there will be a new king of seeking.
SearchGPT is a new AI tool from OpenAI, the Californian tech company behind ChatGPT. It is currently being tested with a small group of users and provides “fast and timely answers” using clear and relevant online sources.
OpenAI says it is testing SearchGPT with a “small group of users and publishers” to get feedback before rolling it out more broadly.
MailOnline has contacted OpenAI for more information on when this might happen, but declined to comment further.
In a blog postOpenAI said SearchGPT will provide users with “fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”
“It can be difficult to find answers on the Internet, often requiring multiple attempts to get relevant results,” the report said.
“We believe that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of our models with real-time information from the web, you can find what you’re looking for faster and easier.”
Sam Altman, the technology company’s CEO, said: “There’s room to make search much better than it is today.”
He posted on X: ‘We will learn from the prototype, improve it and then integrate the technology into ChatGPT to make it real-time and maximally useful.’
Compared to its well-known brother, SearchGPT focuses more on searching the internet for the latest news, trends and data. It also presents web links to relevant online resources.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is more intended for ‘conversational interactions’, troubleshooting assistance, advice, tutoring and retrieving older information.
While ChatGPT has revolutionized the way we access information online, it sometimes struggles to find the most up-to-date information and often provides inaccurate answers.
In a blog post, OpenAI said SearchGPT will provide users with “fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources”
It could become a new headache for rival Google, which declared a “code red” – an emergency – shortly after ChatGPT launched (file photo)
Earlier this year, observant tech fans also noticed that OpenAI had created a domain for search.chatgpt.com.
The domain now takes users to the SearchGPT homepage, where they can sign up to be considered for use of the tool by clicking ‘Join the waitlist’.
If you have already registered with ChatGPT, your email address will be used to add you to the SearchGPT waiting list. If you have not registered with ChatGPT, you will be prompted to register with ChatGPT first.
It says, “Access is restricted. If you select this, you will receive an email.”
OpenAI says it plans to integrate SearchGPT’s best features directly into ChatGPT in the future.
The reactions from those who have already tried it seem mixed.
JL Patten, founder of financial site Intrder, says it’s fast, easy to use and lets you “have real conversations with your search.”
But Neil Patel, head of digital marketing agency NP Digital, said it “seems like a mediocre search engine”.
If you are interested in using SearchGPT, you can go to the official webpage and sign up for a waiting list. However, there is a warning that says “access is limited”
Social media users have noted the parallels with the world’s largest search engine, with one saying: ‘Google Search is definitely in trouble’. Another said: ‘Anyone who has been paying attention knows that within 10 years there will be a new king of search
“It doesn’t seem revolutionary and it doesn’t give people a good reason to switch from Google to SearchGPT,” he wrote on X.
He added: “Just because ChatGPT is successful doesn’t mean SearchGPT will be too.”
Either way, SearchGPT should create new headaches for Google’s top brass, who fear it could monopolize the company’s $150 billion-a-year search engine business.
Following OpenAI’s new announcement, shares of Google’s parent company Alphabet fell 2 percent.
Compared to its more famous sibling, SearchGPT focuses more on scouring the internet for the latest news, trends and data, and presents web links to the relevant online resources.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company believes “there’s room to make search much better than it is today”
Shortly after OpenAI released ChatGPT over a year ago, Google internally declared a “code red” – an emergency – and rushed to develop an equivalent product.
The result, formerly known as Bard but quickly renamed Gemini, works similarly to ChatGPT with conversational replies, but has some issues.
In February, Google was forced to shut down Gemini after the company was accused of replacing white historical figures, including Nazi soldiers, with people of color.