OpenAI’s ChatGPT app can now browse web on mobile, but only via Bing

OpenAI has recently introduced a new feature called Browsing to its ChatGPT app, available exclusively to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus. This feature allows users to search the web using Bing for answers to their queries. By enabling Browsing in the app settings and selecting 'GPT-4' in the model switcher, users can access this functionality on both iOS and Android devices.

OpenAI emphasises that browsing is particularly valuable for obtaining information beyond ChatGPT's knowledge cutoff in 2021, especially for current events and other topics not covered in its original training data. Before this feature, questions regarding recent events would yield outdated or incorrect responses.

Concerns and limitations of using Bing

While browsing enhances ChatGPT's capabilities and makes it a more useful research tool, the decision to limit the search capabilities to Bing has drawn some criticism. OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft, which has made a significant investment in the company, likely explains this choice.

However, Bing is not regarded as the most comprehensive or accurate search engine available. In the past, it has been accused of favoring Microsoft-related results and has also faced concerns about the frequency of disinformation in its search results. The reliance on Bing as the sole search engine for ChatGPT raises concerns that users will lack alternatives when Bing fails to provide accurate or reliable information.

Although Microsoft continually improves Bing's algorithms, the lack of choice may prove problematic if users require a wider range of search results. In addition to browsing, OpenAI has made another noteworthy update to the ChatGPT app. Now tapping on a search result will directly navigate users to match the point in the conversation. This change, along with the introduction of browsing, will be rolled out soon.

Overall, while browsing with Bing expands ChatGPT's functionality and assists with research, the exclusive reliance on Bing as the search engine of choice has sparked some concerns among users. Nonetheless, OpenAI's continuous efforts to enhance the ChatGPT app and improve user experience remains evident.