ChatGPT, the AI chatbot by OpenAI can now browse the internet (again) to provide users with the latest information, along with direct links to sources, the company announced today on X (formerly Twitter), add that the data within it will no longer be limited to information predating September 2021.
After its original beta launch in May, the company had pulled the plug on the feature in July, saying the feature occasionally displays content in way they don’t want, “For example, if a user specifically asks for a URL’s full text, it might inadvertently fulfill this request.”
“Since the original launch of browsing in May, we received useful feedback. Updates include following robots.txt and identifying user agents so sites can control how ChatGPT interacts with them,” stated the company in a series of posts on X today.
ChatGPT can now browse the internet to provide you with current and authoritative information, complete with direct links to sources. It is no longer limited to data before September 2021. pic.twitter.com/pyj8a9HWkB
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) September 27, 2023
OpenAI launched GPTBot, a web crawler, in August, with an option for website owners and publishers to restrict it from accessing the content on their websites. The crawler also filters out content behind paywalls.
The web browsing feature on ChatGPT is available today for Plus and Enterprise users of the chatbot. The company has stated that it will be expanded to all users soon, without sharing any specific plans for expansion. The Plus and Enterprise users can enable the feature by choosing Browse with Bing in the selector under GPT-4.
The feature, the company said, can be useful for tasks that require up-to-date information, such as helping users with technical research, buying a bike, or planning a vacation.
OpenAI has announced major updates in the last few days, including its latest AI image generation model, DALL-E 3, which is now integrated natively into ChatGPT, as well as the addition of voice chat and image features for ChatGPT, and today, the relaunch of the browsing feature.
The AI firm is reportedly pitching to investors for a potential secondary sale by its employees, a move that could value it between $80 billion to $90 billion. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has also reportedly held discussions with the former Apple design chief to potentially develop an AI hardware device.
