ChatGPT has established its reputation as a multifaceted chatbot, adept in a range of tasks including writing assistance, coding support, research, and even vacation planning, among others. Despite its versatility, there existed a significant limitation. Now, a solution has been introduced, accessible to those ready to invest in the enhanced experience.
OpenAI revealed on Wednesday, through a post on X (previously known as Twitter), that ChatGPT has been upgraded to feature real-time internet access, enabling it to offer direct source links. This enhanced capability is exclusively available to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise subscribers.
This development signifies a monumental shift for premium users. ChatGPT transcends its previous constraints of pre-2021 information, ushering in an era of enhanced capabilities and bolstered reliability, as it can now provide real-time data and insights.
The transformation is facilitated by Microsoft’s Bing web browser, which ChatGPT utilizes to access the internet. This collaboration was first unveiled at Microsoft Build in May and was initially rolled out to ChatGPT Plus users. However, this feature was retracted by OpenAI after a few months due to its exploitation by users to bypass paywalls.
In essence, paying customers now have a rejuvenated ChatGPT at their disposal – one that is not only rooted in the profound knowledge base of the past but is also attuned to the dynamic, evolving, and real-time informational landscape of the present.
OpenAI conveyed that the feedback received from users since the initial introduction in May has been invaluable. The company has been attentive to the insights and suggestions from the community, and has incorporated this feedback into the new upgrade. Included in the enhancements are adherence to “following robots.txt” protocols and the incorporation of “identifying user agents,” allowing websites to manage how ChatGPT engages with their content.
To avail themselves of this enhanced functionality, ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise subscribers simply need to select “Browse with Bing” from the dropdown menu under GPT-4. This initiates a seamless integration of real-time browsing capability, marking a significant advancement in the chatbot’s utility and performance. The iterative process of feedback and updates underscores OpenAI’s commitment to user-centric innovation, continuously refining and enhancing the ChatGPT experience to meet and exceed user expectations.
The ChatGPT Plus membership comes with a price tag of $20 per month. While some might ponder the cost, for many, the enhanced accuracy and the ability to tap into the most up-to-date information justifies the investment.
For those who are eager to experience this real-time browsing feature but are not yet subscribers, there is good news on the horizon. OpenAI has signaled its intention to broaden access to all users in the near future. In the interim, Bing Chat emerges as a robust alternative. Supported by the formidable GPT-4 architecture, Bing Chat offers internet access, source provision, and is available at no cost.
This development follows hot on the heels of another significant announcement from OpenAI. Just days earlier, the revelation that ChatGPT has evolved to “see, hear, and speak” captured the attention of the tech world. This advancement means the model can now process image and voice prompts and generate voice outputs, marking a significant leap in its interactive capabilities.
However, it’s worth noting that these new search and response features, akin to the real-time internet browsing capability, are earmarked exclusively for ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise subscribers, at least for now. The anticipated rollout for these enriched features is scheduled for the upcoming two weeks.
These successive announcements underscore OpenAI’s relentless drive for innovation, each enhancement amplifying ChatGPT’s utility, making it a more versatile, responsive, and invaluable tool for a diverse array of tasks and user requirements. The integration of real-time data access and multi-modal interactions promises to redefine user engagement, setting new benchmarks in the realm of AI-powered interactive technologies.
Source: zdnet.com