Microsoft and OpenAI have joined forces to provide an enhanced version of ChatGPT with real-time internet search data. Now powered by Bing, ChatGPT is able to trawl through the whole web when responding to queries, eliminating the need to rely on previously stored training data from 2021. This new feature also includes providing citations of its answers, allowing users to easily see the origin of the answer.
Yusuf Mehdi, executive at Microsoft, stated: “ChatGPT will now have a world-class search engine built-in to provide timelier and more up-to-date answers with access from the web.” The updated chatbot will only be accessible by paying customers, but Microsoft aims to make it available for free later. Access will be granted via a Bing plug-in.
Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI’s ChatGPT and its integration of ChatGPT with its own search engine, Bing, is part of the company’s ambitious mission to become a leader in the competitive field of AI. To this end, Microsoft has also recently unveiled a ChatGPT-like assistant for its range of Office software.
Google has followed suit with its workplace apps, such as Docs, by integrating its own chatbot, Bard. By introducing this integration, Microsoft is once again reinforcing its commitments to OpenAI and the field of AI in general.
