Published on: November 1, 2024 / Update from: November 1, 2024 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Web search and search engine with artificial intelligence – How is the AI search function different from Google? – Image: Xpert.Digital
OpenAI's web search in ChatGPT: How AI is changing the way we search the internet & challenging Google
OpenAI's big innovation: ChatGPT expanded with web search - The future of internet research compared to Google
OpenAI has taken a significant step towards broader use of artificial intelligence (AI) with the introduction of a web search function in ChatGPT. This feature allows the tool to retrieve current information directly from the Internet, significantly expanding its capabilities. This development puts ChatGPT in direct competition with established search engines such as Google and changes the way users can search and process information on the Internet. Below we will go into detail about how it works, the differences to Google and the possible effects of this innovation.
ChatGPT's web search feature: How it works and how to introduce it
ChatGPT's new web search functionality represents a significant expansion of the AI model's previous capabilities. While ChatGPT previously relied on a static knowledge model that was only updated up to a certain point in time, it can now access real-time information. This means that users can access current data such as news, weather forecasts, sports results or stock prices directly in the chat. This information is displayed in real time and sourced to increase the credibility of the content provided.
Another advantage of this feature is the automatic activation of web search. As soon as the system detects that a request requires current information, the web search is started automatically. Alternatively, users can activate web search manually if they prefer. This offers flexible usage and ensures that the most relevant information is always available.
Additionally, ChatGPT allows users to ask follow-up questions to further refine answers or obtain more detailed information. This dialogue-based interaction allows users to delve deeper into a topic and shed more light on specific aspects of a question.
Staggered introduction and availability
The new search function will be introduced gradually. Initially, premium users – ChatGPT Plus subscribers and Team subscriptions – will have access to this feature. Enterprise and Edu users will follow in the following weeks. OpenAI is planning a release for free users during November. This phased rollout is typical of OpenAI and allows the company to identify and fix potential issues early before the feature is available to all users.
It is also interesting that OpenAI is not planning a separate search engine. Instead, the technology has been integrated directly into ChatGPT, meaning users do not need to use an additional platform to benefit from the new features.
First, the feature to search chat history on the ChatGPT website is introduced. “Now you can quickly and easily find a chat for reference or pick up where you left off,” writes OpenAI on October 29, 2024 on X. No chat history, then no search results either. We can't wait to see when further functionalities will be added.
Danger for Perplexity?
With a web feature, ChatGPT could become serious competition for Perplexity, as both platforms have similar goals but provide information in different ways.
How is Google's new search feature different?
Although ChatGPT will now also offer a search function, it differs from traditional search engines such as Google in several key ways:
1. Dialogue-based interaction vs. classic search results
A key difference between ChatGPT and Google lies in the type of interaction. While Google displays a list of web pages that are relevant based on keywords, ChatGPT offers a conversational search experience. The AI model provides a single summarized answer to a query and allows users to delve deeper into the topic or refine the answer with follow-up questions.
This conversation structure allows for an interactive and personalized information search. The user does not have to decide for himself which of the many displayed links he should click on - as is the case with Google - but instead receives a comprehensive answer to his question directly.
2. Sources and links
Another difference is the way references are treated. Since the introduction of web search, ChatGPT has integrated links to the websites from which the information comes. This allows users to further review the content provided or read additional details.
Google, on the other hand, displays websites directly without interpreting or summarizing their content. The user has to navigate through the results themselves and filter out the relevant information.
3. Real-time information
Both Google and ChatGPT offer real-time information. On Google, these often appear as special widgets or highlighted results at the top of the page - for example with weather forecasts or sports results. With ChatGPT, however, this information is displayed directly in the chat window as part of a conversational response.
This saves users time because they don't have to click through multiple links to get to the data they want.
4. Target groups and context of use
ChatGPT is particularly suitable for more complex queries or tasks where users need detailed explanations or creative solutions - for example, for technical problems or when writing texts. The dialogue-based structure also enables the user to ask deeper questions and thus deal with a topic more comprehensively.
Google, on the other hand, is more efficient for simple search queries - for example when users quickly need precise information such as opening times of a store or definitions of terms.
5. Monetization
Another difference lies in monetization: While Google generates a large part of its revenue from online advertising, OpenAI is currently pursuing a different model with ChatGPT. There are no ads within the chat; Instead, OpenAI relies on premium subscriptions and partnerships with media companies for high-quality content.
Partnerships with media companies
To ensure that the information provided is always up to date and accurate, OpenAI has partnered with renowned media companies - including Associated Press (AP), Axel Springer and Reuters. These collaborations allow OpenAI to not only offer high-quality content, but also to ensure that this information comes from trustworthy sources.
These partnerships are an important step for OpenAI in competing with other search engine providers such as Google or Bing (Microsoft), as they aim to ensure that the information provided is not only up-to-date but has also been subjected to journalistic scrutiny.
Future developments
OpenAI plans further expansions for its platform in the near future. In addition to improvements in the area of web search, functions for shopping and travel inquiries will be added - areas in which Google is traditionally strong. In addition, language capabilities should be further expanded to make use even more intuitive.
Although there are currently no plans for a separate search engine, this could change in the future - especially if it turns out that users increasingly want to use conversation-based search systems.
A new era of internet search?
The introduction of the web search function in ChatGPT marks an important milestone in the development of artificial intelligence and its application in everyday life. The ability to obtain real-time information and dialog-based interaction makes the tool stand out from traditional search engines.
Although Google remains the market leader in Internet searches and has extensive resources, the emergence of such AI-based systems could prove to be serious competition in the long term - especially for user groups with more complex information needs.
It remains exciting to see what further developments OpenAI will present in the future and how this will impact the Internet search market.
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