OpenAI has announced that it is testing a search engine on a small group of users and plans to integrate this functionality into ChatGPT, making this generative AI-based chat software competitive with Google, AFP reported.

Answers to queries through this engine, called SearchGPT, will combine GPT-4 elements with information gathered directly from the Internet.

Unlike ChatGPT which produces written answers without reference to any other references, Search GPT answers also include links to third-party sites that served as the source of the answer.

Thus, Search GPT will be similar to the new AI Overviews search engine announced by Google in mid-May May, and work similarly.

In a presentation posted online on Thursday, OpenAI said Search GPT is "designed to help users identify creators by clearly citing websites and including their links."

OpenAI said it has partnered with content publishers, enabling them in particular to choose how they appear in answers to queries.

OpenAI confirmed that Search GPT may mention websites even if their owners refuse to allow their content to be used to develop generative AI interfaces such as Chat GPT.

By mentioning direct links and references, ChatGPT is closer to Google, which still dominates the search engine market almost entirely.

Although Microsoft added generative AI to its Bing search engine thanks to its partnership with OpenAI, Microsoft has not been able to grab any market share from Google.

French