OpenAI Set to Unveil Google Rival Search Tool Next Monday, Sources Reveal

OpenAI, in partnership with Microsoft, is slated to announce a groundbreaking AI-powered search tool on May 13, challenging Google’s dominance just a day before its major I/O conference, according to sources.

OpenAI's Upcoming Search Tool Aims to Revolutionize Web Search Ahead of Google's I/O Conference

In a recent report by Reuters, the announcement date, which is subject to change, has been kept under wraps until now. Reports from Bloomberg and the Information suggest that Microsoft-backed OpenAI is developing a search solution that could potentially challenge Alphabet's Google and Perplexity, a well-funded AI search firm.

The announcement could come a day before Google's annual I/O conference, which begins on May 14 and is expected to feature many AI-related items.

OpenAI's upcoming search tool, an extension of its widely-used ChatGPT, is poised to redefine the search experience. It not only aggregates direct content from the Web but also incorporates citations, a distinctive feature that distinguishes it from other AI search solutions.

ChatGPT Enhances User Experience Amid Competitive AI Search Landscape

Industry analysts have long referred to ChatGPT as an alternative for acquiring online information despite its struggles to provide reliable and real-time information from the Web. According to Yahoo Finance, OpenAI previously integrated it with Microsoft's Bing for premium subscribers. Meanwhile, Google has included generative AI features in its engine.

Perplexity, a $1 billion startup formed by a former OpenAI researcher, has gained popularity by offering an AI-native search experience that displays citations in results and visuals and text in its responses. According to the startup's January blog post, it boasts 10 million monthly active users.

Since its inception in late 2022, OpenAI's ChatGPT has had a rollercoaster ride, peaking at 100 million monthly active users in May 2023. However, its global traffic has been volatile over the past year, and it's only now starting to regain traction, according to analytics firm Similarweb. This underscores the pressure on the AI startup to expand its user base.

According to a help center posting on OpenAI's website, an earlier attempt to include updated and real-world information in ChatGPT, known as ChatGPT plugins, was abandoned in April.

Photo: Microsoft Bing