OpenAI plans to launch a new AI-powered search tool on Monday, according to sources familiar with the matter. This announcement could mark a significant challenge to Google, the current leader in search engines. Although the date may change, reports from Bloomberg and The Information reveal that Microsoft-backed OpenAI aims to compete not only with Google but also with Perplexity, a growing AI search startup.
The new search tool is an extension of ChatGPT, OpenAI's flagship chatbot, designed to provide accurate, real-time web information along with proper citations. Despite being an alternative for online searches, ChatGPT has faced challenges in delivering precise and current web data. OpenAI integrated ChatGPT with Microsoft's Bing for premium users, while Google responded by adding generative AI features to its search engine.
Perplexity, valued at $1 billion, was founded by a former OpenAI researcher and has gained traction with an AI-driven search interface that includes citations, images, and text. It already boasts 10 million monthly users, according to a recent blog post.
Despite ChatGPT's rapid growth to 100 million monthly users after launching in late 2022, its web traffic has been inconsistent and is only now recovering to its May 2023 peak. An earlier attempt to offer real-world information via ChatGPT plugins was abandoned in April, prompting OpenAI to refine its approach. This new search product aims to transform how people find information online while putting pressure on Google's leading position.
Key Points
New AI Search Tool: OpenAI is launching a new AI-powered search tool that will expand on its ChatGPT chatbot and challenge Google's search engine dominance.
Strategic Timing: The announcement is strategically timed before Google's I/O conference, where the tech giant will introduce new AI features.
Rising Competition: Alongside Google, OpenAI's tool will also compete with Perplexity, a startup that offers an AI-based search platform with over 10 million users.
FAQs
Q1. Can ChatGPT replace Google?
ChatGPT, with its advanced AI technology, provides detailed and conversational responses that are different from Google's approach to search. It can be particularly useful for answering questions and generating explanations. However, it doesn't fully replace Google because it doesn't perform tasks like finding the latest local businesses, websites, maps, or quick fact searches.
Instead, ChatGPT and Google complement each other. Google is excellent for fast, wide-ranging web searches, while ChatGPT excels at understanding context and providing in-depth, personalized responses. Each tool serves a unique purpose and is better suited to specific tasks, so it's more about finding the right tool for the job rather than replacing one entirely.
Q2. Will Google search be replaced by AI?
It's unlikely that Google search will be completely replaced by AI. Instead, Google is evolving its search engine to include more AI features. These new features will help provide faster, more accurate results, summaries, and relevant answers directly on the search results page.
AI will change how people search for information by making it more intuitive and efficient, but Google will still be a key player, improving its search engine with advanced AI to keep delivering useful information.
Q3. Will AI affect Google?
Yes, AI will affect Google significantly. Google is already integrating AI into its search engine to improve the quality of search results, provide better summaries, and generate helpful answers directly on the search page. These changes will make Google's search engine more efficient and user-friendly.
At the same time, competition from other AI-based search tools will challenge Google, pushing it to innovate and improve even further. So, while AI will impact Google's business, it will also drive positive changes, ensuring Google continues to offer valuable search services.
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