Supported by Microsoft (MSFT, Financials), OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Search tool free accessible to all logged-in users, significantly increasing access to a capability until exclusive to premium members. The action sharpens the competitiveness in the long-dominated search engine industry by Google (GOOG, Financials; GOOGL, Financials).
Kevin Weil, the OpenAI Chief Product Officer, revealed the upgrade during a livestream, pointing out that the feature first released in October for Plus and Team subscribers. I find myself using it rather often. Bringing it to all of you for free beginning today excites us, Weil added.
With 89.98% of the worldwide market share as of November, Google is still leading the search engine industry, hence the choice comes as natural for it. Microsoft’s Bing accounts for 3.94% of the market, according to data from Oberlo. Using ChatGPT’s conversational power, OpenAI’s free release seeks to draw in a larger audience.
Faster response times and mobile accessibility were two of the enhancements Weil stressed for ChatGPT Search. Additionally included is advanced speech mode, which lets ChatGPT users search by voice.
Part of OpenAI’s continuous “12 Days of OpenAI,” the announcement emphasizes fresh product releases. OpenAI also unveiled ChatGPT Canvas, a platform for real-time teamwork, and Sora, an artificial intelligence movie generator competent of producing films from text cues. The business announced the inclusion of ChatGPT into Apple’s (AAPL, Financials) most recent operating system upgrade and improved voice functionality including video and screen sharing.
OpenAI is positioned to upend existing participants in search by making ChatGPT Search free, therefore improving AI accessibility. The shift captures more general patterns toward generative artificial intelligence technologies as substitutes for conventional keyword-based search engines.
As rivals driven by artificial intelligence have emerged, Google has reacted by developing its own tools, including an AI chatbot called Bard. Microsoft is far behind Google in market dominance even with its investments in OpenAI’s models and integration into Bing.
The increased availability of ChatGPT Search indicates OpenAI’s intention to change the search business and attract fresh consumers with its AI-driven capacities. As competition rises, the effects of this approach on search dynamics and user preferences will be under careful observation.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.