OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT is now equipped with live web search capabilities, allowing users to access real-time information. This feature, available for paid subscribers and SearchGPT waitlist users today, will soon extend to free, enterprise, and educational users in the coming weeks.
The live search tool is integrated directly into ChatGPT’s existing interface, where it can access online results automatically for certain queries. Users can also manually activate web search, helping ChatGPT compete directly with similar AI features from tech giants like Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini, which already have internet access. OpenAI hopes this integration will improve ChatGPT’s accuracy and depth, giving users access to more relevant, up-to-date information.
What the new search feature offers
OpenAI’s head of ChatGPT’s search team, Adam Fry, demonstrated the new feature. ChatGPT displayed an interactive stock graph, upcoming earnings, and clickable news articles with links to original sources by searching for Apple’s stock. In another test, Fry searched for Italian restaurants in San Francisco, and ChatGPT returned a map with pins showing restaurant locations and descriptions. Users can also refine their search results by asking follow-up questions, such as specifying a preference for “more casual and neighbourhood” dining spots.
This new functionality will be available across all ChatGPT platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop apps for both macOS and Windows. The search capability is built on various technologies, including Microsoft’s Bing. According to OpenAI, the model supporting this feature is a fine-tuned version of GPT-4, initially introduced to 10,000 users in July as part of a prototype called SearchGPT. OpenAI’s recent blog post highlights its efforts to expand ChatGPT’s reach and strengthen its position against other tech players.
Keeping up with fast-paced AI competition
With this update, ChatGPT’s previous knowledge cut-off, which ranged between 2021 and 2023 depending on the version, has been expanded to incorporate live information. OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix reassured that, even with live search capabilities, OpenAI will continue refreshing the training data but noted that this will be distinct from the AI’s model training updates. This effort aligns with broader industry moves, as other companies, including Meta and Google, are also advancing their AI-powered search tools. Google, for instance, recently expanded its AI overview feature to over 100 countries.
When asked if the timing was planned to coincide with Alphabet’s earnings report, which disclosed US$49.4 billion in search revenue in Q3, Fry clarified that the release was scheduled independently. Unlike Google, ChatGPT’s search results will not include ads. Fry said that OpenAI has “no plans” to add advertising to ChatGPT, although he acknowledged that operating an AI-powered search engine is more costly than traditional search. To manage these costs, OpenAI plans to limit usage frequency for free users with the new search feature.
Addressing content rights and accuracy
In an increasingly litigious environment around AI and content rights, OpenAI works carefully to manage its media relationships. Multiple publishers, including News Corp and The New York Times, have filed lawsuits against AI startups like Perplexity for copyright violations. The New York Times has also sued OpenAI, claiming unauthorised use of its content in training large language models. Fry highlighted OpenAI’s active partnerships with several media companies, including Hearst, Condé Nast, Axel Springer, and News Corp. According to Fry, these partnerships allow media outlets to control how their content appears in ChatGPT. Any publisher can opt out of OpenAI’s web crawler, which does not bypass paywalls.
OpenAI has taken steps to improve ChatGPT’s accuracy with live search, addressing a common AI flaw known as “hallucination,” where the AI generates false or inaccurate information. Fry suggested that live search could reduce these inaccuracies by giving the AI access to the latest information, which improves its responses to factual queries. He added that if mistakes occur, OpenAI aims to be transparent about them.
The timing of this rollout is particularly significant as the US presidential election approaches. OpenAI is paying extra attention to election-related queries to promote authoritative sources and ensure accuracy during this critical time. Fry expressed hope that the new tool will help users access reliable election information, supporting the need for transparency and trust in AI-driven content.
