OpenAI’s ChatGPT has recently expanded its capabilities, now allowing users to access real-time internet browsing for current and reliable information. Previously, the AI chatbot was limited to data mining prior to September 2021, but OpenAI announced the removal of this restriction. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, utilizes natural language processing to produce human-like conversations and can compose written content such as articles, social media posts, essays, code, and emails.
Before this update, ChatGPT informed users that it could only provide information accurate up until September 2021, citing concerns about potentially inaccurate data from the internet. However, users expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of updates and current information available. Now, ChatGPT is able to browse the internet and incorporate up-to-date information into its responses in real-time.
OpenAI initially released this update in June for paying subscribers, but temporarily suspended it after some users found ways to bypass paywalls on internet content. Microsoft, an OpenAI partner, has also integrated GPT-4, the language model used in developing ChatGPT, with its Bing search engine. Similarly, Google has its own conversational robot, Bard, that integrates with its search engine.
Currently, the “Browse with Bing” feature is exclusive to paying subscribers of ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise services, but OpenAI plans to make it available to all users soon. However, the worth and accuracy of ChatGPT remain subjects of ongoing debate, as the internet, the chatbot’s primary source of information, contains both disinformation and fake information. Major news sites like CNN, The Guardian, New York Times, Reuters, and Washington Post have already blocked ChatGPT’s web crawler, and others are reportedly following suit. This poses a challenge to the effectiveness of ChatGPT in providing efficient customer service.
Chatbots powered by ChatGPT were initially lauded for their ability to handle large volumes of inquiries quickly and accurately.
