OpenAI has announced SearchGPT, a prototype AI-powered search engine that is here to challenge Google Search. The new prototype promises to deliver “fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources,” combining OpenAI’s advanced language models with real-time web information.

SearchGPT will offer a conversational interface, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and build context throughout their search session.

“We believe that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of our models with real-time information from the web, finding what you’re looking for can be faster and easier,” an OpenAI spokesperson stated.

Speculations state that users may find themselves engaged in dynamic, context-aware conversations with the search engines. This could also democratize access to information.

It is said that with this move, OpenAI is extending an olive branch to publishers, as SearchGPT focuses on sourcing and attribution to sources. However, the concerning question is: if AI succeeds in providing comprehensive answers, will users click through the original sources?

Notably, this could lead to a paradigm shift in web traffic patterns, potentially upending the current digital publishing model. The biggest challenge, therefore, lies in the balancing of innovation and responsibility.