With initial models of ChatGPT being based on information dating up until September of 2021, the AI chatbot isn’t always the most accurate or helpful when trying to research current events or data. However, this changed in May when OpenAI enabled ChatGPT to browse the internet, vastly expanding its capabilities.
This didn’t last long though, as some users exploited the feature in order to get around various paywalls, leading to OpenAI removing the feature to make some tweaks. Now, nearly two months later, the feature is back and will primarily be made available to Plus and Enterprise users according to an X post from OpenAI.
“Browsing is particularly useful for tasks that require up-to-date information, such as helping you with technical research, trying to choose a bike, or planning a vacation,” shared OpenAI, adding “Since the original launch of browsing in May, we received useful feedback. Updates include following robots.txt and identifying user agents so sites can control how ChatGPT interacts with them.”
The latest update to the feature is being called “Browse with Bing” and integrates the standard Bing Chat window as well as notifies the user when it’s looking up info from the internet, with answers being accompanied by citation links.
See an example of what this looks like in the official announcement below.
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
In related tech news, OpenAI enables ChatGPT to see, hear and speak.
