ChatGPT expected to announce search feature Monday

ChatGPT is expected to announce its new search feature today, according to Reuters, citing unnamed company sources. This new approach could be a game-changer for how people get information from the internet and a significant challenge for industry leader Google.

Update: Sam Altman confirmed on Twitter that there will be announcements today at 10am PT, but they may not include a search engine.

Rumor has it. OpenAI is developing a ChatGPT feature that searches the web and cites sources in its results, Bloomberg reported (subscription required):

• “The feature would allow users to ask ChatGPT a question and receive answers that use details from the web with citations to sources such as Wikipedia entries and blog posts … One version of the product also uses images alongside written responses to questions, when they’re relevant. If a user asked ChatGPT how to change a doorknob, for instance, the results might include a diagram to illustrate the task…”

And. “OpenAI has been aggressively trying to poach Google employees for a team that is working hard to ship the product soon,” according to the Verge.

Why we care. Search has quickly evolved in a new direction since the emergence of generative AI. OpenAI is seemingly perceived to be ahead of Google in many ways (not yet including Search), even though ChatGPT’s user base is still much smaller than Google. However, there is growing frustration with all aspects of Google – from the quality of search results to its abundance of advertising. Not to mention Google’s alleged monopolistic practices that have hurt advertisers, users and competitors.

Dig deeper: How Google harms search advertisers in 20 slides

X things we know about ChatGPT search. ChatGPT doesn’t want to copy Google’s model or layout (he hates ads). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said as much earlier this year:

• “I don’t think the world needs another copy of Google,” Altman said.

ChatGPT’s version of Search wouldn’t be traditional, or classic, general web search. Altman’s vision is integrating ChatGPT with Search:

• “…We are interested in how to do that well. That would be an example of a cool thing. I don’t think anyone has cracked the code on yet. I would love to go do that. I think that would be cool,” Altman said.

Going at Google. A Monday announcement would certainly be a shot across Google’s bow. It’s the day before Google’s annual I/O conference, where the company is expected to introduce several AI-related products.