Key Takeaways:
– OpenAI is testing SearchGPT, a new offering designed to explain search results to users.
– Google currently dominates the $200 billion global search market with an 80% share.
– Despite many companies attempting to challenge Google, none have been successful so far.
– The SearchGPT prototype is currently available to a small user group and works in collaboration with several publishers.
– Although currently limited in its availability, OpenAI plans to integrate SearchGPT features into ChatGPT soon.
OpenAI is aiming for a spot in the global search engine market with its new offering called SearchGPT. The new product, leveraging advanced generative AI, can presumably give explanations for search results to users. This innovative step is seen as a direct challenge to Google’s search engine dominance.
Google’s Unparalleled Dominance
Today, Google defines the global search market, owning over 80% of the market that is predicted to grow from $200 billion this year to nearly $400 billion by 2031, according to Skyquest and Statista data. The Bing search engine by Microsoft ranks at a distant second with merely a 10% market share. Even though numerous vendors have aimed to overthrow Google from its dominant stance, none have succeeded thus far.
OpenAI’s Audacious Bid
OpenAI, unafraid of these daunting statistics, has launched SearchGPT. This tool utilizes its Large Language Model (LLM) technology to cater to the consumer search market. SearchGPT, which was introduced last week, is presently in its prototype stage and is accessible to only a restricted user base. SearchGPT, as stated by OpenAI will facilitate “quick and direct” answers to queries backed by “up-to-date information from the web”. It then proposes “clear links to relevant sources,” permitting users to follow up with additional questions. It will establish a conversational approach, distinguishing it from the rest.
The Technological Edge
Advanced AI technology has found its use in search engines for years now. Google, among others, has been utilizing AI to enhance its search results since 2001. However, the recent years have seen a supercharge in AI-powered search aided by developments in neural nets and vector similarity search technologies and techniques. These advancements will seemingly also be leveraged by SearchGPT.
Partnerships and Transparency
In its endeavor with SearchGPT, OpenAI has collaborated with “a small group of publishers,” including Reuters, The Atlantic, and News Corp., which publishes Fox News, Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. The company claims that it is aiming to build an “ecosystem of publishers and creators”. By linking directly to publisher’s content in results, SearchGPT aims to provide a level of transparency often missing in early AI products.
Availability and Future Plans
As of now, SearchGPT is not widely accessible, yet interested users can sign up for the SearchGPT waitlist. However, OpenAI has disclosed plans of rolling out SearchGPT features directly into its other offering, ChatGPT in the future. This new offering is expected to put OpenAI squarely in competition with Google in the search engine sector.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s daring step with SearchGPT may just be the shakeup the search engine market needs. Whether it will succeed in its challenge to Google’s dominance is something only time will tell.
