ChatGPT Now Offers Real-Time Information Access

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT can now access the internet and provide real-time information to users through Bing search. Previously, the chatbot was limited to knowledge up to September 2021. This enhanced browsing capability is particularly advantageous for tasks requiring up-to-date data, such as technical research, selecting a bike, or planning a vacation. OpenAI emphasized that responses will not only be current but also "authoritative," complete with direct links to sources.

Initially, real-time browsing is available exclusively for ChatGPT Plus subscribers and Enterprise customers. Users can enable this feature by selecting the 'Browse with Bing' option when using the GPT-4 version. OpenAI has indicated plans to expand access to more users in the future. The organization had previously tested internet access for ChatGPT in May but disabled it due to concerns that the feature could be misused to bypass paywalls.

This development coincides with the unveiling of Meta's ChatGPT competitor, Meta AI, which also leverages Bing search for real-time answers. Furthermore, Microsoft's Bing Chat, powered by AI, has started delivering real-time responses as well.

In addition to the browsing capability, ChatGPT has undergone significant upgrades this week. OpenAI has integrated its latest image generation model, DALL-E 3, into ChatGPT, allowing users to create high-quality images directly within the chatbot. Moreover, with the implementation of GPT-4V, users can now interact with ChatGPT using images and voice commands, effectively giving it the ability to see, hear, and speak.

These upgrades come at a critical time as ChatGPT aims to recover from a decrease in user traffic observed over the summer months. Data from Similarweb showed a 10% traffic drop in May, 15% in June, and 4% in July. However, as students returned to school in August, traffic stabilized slightly, though it remained down by 3% globally.

With the addition of real-time information access and interactive features, ChatGPT is set to enhance user engagement and utility, positioning itself as a vital tool for those seeking immediate answers and creative solutions.