Report: OpenAI to Launch ChatGPT Search

OpenAI is set to make a strategic entry into the search engine market to strengthen its competitive position. Sources familiar with the matter report that OpenAI is working on a search engine product powered by its ChatGPT technology, which could be launched as soon as this week. This launch will position OpenAI in direct competition with Alphabet Inc.'s Google.

The new search engine feature will allow users to interact with ChatGPT by asking questions and receiving answers sourced from various online materials such as Wikipedia entries and blog posts. Additionally, a version of the product may include both text and images in its responses. The introduction of this search functionality will expand the capabilities of ChatGPT, which some users already have access to.

Speculation about OpenAI's development of a search engine has been circulating since February of this year. CEO Sam Altman previously suggested the possibility of creating a search engine that could surpass Google, citing his belief that Google's search service lacks excitement.

Industry experts have been abuzz with rumors regarding OpenAI's search engine plans, with some reports indicating that the company may make an announcement on the morning of May 9 Eastern Time. Users on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have recently discovered the domain search.chatgpt.com, suggesting that OpenAI may soon introduce a search feature.