With an upgrade that is going to revolutionise AI Chatbots, OpenAI has revealed that its ChatGPT platform can now browse the internet for current information, removing the prior limitation of data cut-off in September 2021.
This change addresses a long-standing limitation that safeguarded against potential misinformation but also constrained real-time research capabilities.
According to OpenAI, the chatbot will now offer "current and authoritative information, complete with direct links to sources."
Despite the significant update, challenges lie ahead for ChatGPT with key news outlets like CNN, The Guardian, and Reuters blocking ChatGPT's web crawler, raising concerns over the quality and reliability of the information that the platform can access.
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
Initially for plus and enterprise customers
OpenAI clarified that the new browsing function would adhere to "robots.txt" standards, allowing individual websites to control the chatbot's site interactions.
Initially introduced in May, this browsing function was temporarily disabled in July due to issues such as the circumvention of website paywalls.
The feature is set to make a comeback initially for paying Plus and Enterprise customers and Microsoft Bing users, with a wider release anticipated soon.
This update follows OpenAI's recent launches of voice and image features for ChatGPT.
While the browsing feature marks a significant milestone, ChatGPT remains under scrutiny for its ability to provide accurate and reliable information in an era fraught with disinformation.
How to enable this function?
If you are a ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise customer, this feature is not enabled by default.
The feature can be enabled by turning on "Browse with Bing' in Beta Features settings.
After this, you can click on the GPT-4 on the homepage to find the feature.
