OpenAI Launches AI Search Tool SearchGPT: Failed Demo Sparks Concerns and Interest

OpenAI recently announced the internal testing phase of its AI search engine, SearchGPT, which is initially available to just 10,000 users. The company has indicated that a broader release will follow soon. This move is viewed by media outlets as an essential strategy for OpenAI to challenge Google's dominance in the search engine market.

However, early demonstrations of SearchGPT revealed factual inaccuracies, shedding light on the ongoing "AI hallucination" problem—where AI-generated content, while coherent, may not be accurate. Built on GPT-4 technology, SearchGPT aims to combine artificial intelligence with real-time web information, allowing users to conduct searches similarly to conversing with ChatGPT, and to provide up-to-date information along with relevant source links.

Despite OpenAI's claims that SearchGPT can deliver authoritative answers, several external tests have shown that its results may not be as dependable as advertised. For instance, when queried about ticket dates for the Boone Music Festival in North Carolina, SearchGPT incorrectly provided the purchase date, potentially causing users to miss the event. OpenAI responded to this error by stating that the tool is still in its prototype phase and will continue to improve over time.

The issue of "hallucination" in AI technology presents a significant challenge. OpenAI has indicated it will utilize a high-quality content library from partner publishers to mitigate this issue, though this strategy will also increase operational expenses. Additionally, OpenAI currently incurs approximately $700,000 daily to maintain ChatGPT, and this cost may rise as technology progresses.

While the introduction of GPT-4 and ChatGPT has led to skyrocketing revenues—projected at $3.5 to $4.5 billion annually—these earnings fall short of covering operational costs. OpenAI's current operational capacity is nearing saturation, and its substantial expenses are leading to financial strain, with internal reports suggesting losses could reach up to $5 billion. As such, finding a balance between cost control and revenue expansion has become a pressing challenge for OpenAI.

Despite these difficulties, some analysts believe that the launch of SearchGPT could secure OpenAI a significant position in the search engine market. By leveraging machine learning to better understand language, it may deliver more accurate search results and enhance user experience. However, experts caution that SearchGPT is not revolutionary and does not guarantee the replacement of Google.

In summary, the release of SearchGPT presents both opportunities and challenges for OpenAI's future growth. Effectively addressing technical shortcomings and achieving profitability will be crucial metrics for its success.