Grace Ashiru
OpenAI, supported by Microsoft (MSFT.O), announced on Wednesday that ChatGPT users will now have the capability to browse the internet. This new update goes beyond the prior limitation of a September 2021 knowledge cutoff. OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup, shared that the latest browsing feature will grant websites the authority to determine how ChatGPT can interact with them. The company stated on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, “Browsing is now available to Plus and Enterprise users, and will be accessible to all users shortly. To enable it, select Browse with Bing in the selector under GPT-4.”
Earlier this week, the startup announced a significant update allowing ChatGPT to engage in voice dialogues with users and process interactions using images, making it more comparable to well-known AI assistants such as Apple’s Siri (AAPL.O).
Previously, OpenAI experimented with a feature for its premium offering, ChatGPT Plus, that let users access the most recent information via the Bing search engine. This feature was later deactivated due to concerns that it might enable users to circumvent paywalls.
Continuing the rapid growth trend, ChatGPT set a record earlier this year by becoming the quickest consumer application to reach 100 million active users monthly in January, only to be overtaken later by Meta’s Threads app.
This substantial growth has heightened investor attraction to OpenAI. Reports from media outlets, including Reuters on Tuesday, revealed that the startup is in discussions with shareholders regarding a potential sale of existing shares at a value significantly higher than a few months prior.
