OpenAI has just unveiled a thrilling surprise for ChatGPT users: the resurrection of its internet browsing feature.
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
After a brief hiatus to address some critical concerns, ChatGPT is back online, ready to take you on a virtual journey through the boundless corridors of the internet. But what exactly led to this temporary shutdown, and what’s new in the revived browsing experience?
To understand the significance of ChatGPT’s internet browsing feature, it’s crucial to embark on a journey through its history, from its inception to the latest developments.
The birth of ChatGPT browsing
In May 2021, OpenAI introduced a groundbreaking upgrade to its ChatGPT model by adding internet browsing capabilities. This was a monumental leap forward, as it allowed ChatGPT to venture beyond its original knowledge cutoff date of September 2021 and access real-time information from the ever-evolving internet. Users worldwide rejoiced at the prospect of harnessing this powerful tool for research, conversation, and exploration.
The introduction of internet browsing was met with tremendous enthusiasm, but it also came with its set of challenges. Users quickly discovered the immense potential of ChatGPT’s newfound ability to access the internet, including the potential to access paywalled content. This raised concerns related to copyright infringement, fair use, and ethical web scraping practices.
The short-lived “Browse with Bing” plugin
Just a week after the launch of the “Browse with Bing” plugin, OpenAI faced a dilemma. Users had found a way to access paywalled content, causing a stir in the online community. OpenAI’s response was swift and responsible: they temporarily deactivated the feature to address these issues.
Throughout this period, OpenAI actively sought and received valuable feedback from users. This feedback served as the driving force behind a series of critical updates to the internet browsing feature. Among these updates were the implementation of robots.txt protocols and user agent identification. These enhancements were aimed at empowering websites to control how ChatGPT interacts with their content, ensuring responsible web scraping practices and addressing the concerns raised by content creators.
The Grand Return of ChatGT browsing
After a period of reflection, refinement, and rigorous testing, OpenAI announced the triumphant return of ChatGPT’s internet browsing feature. With safeguards in place and lessons learned, users can once again access real-time information, expanding their horizons beyond the limitations of the model’s training data.
Looking ahead, internet browsing with ChatGPT is currently available to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users, with plans to make it accessible to all users in the future. However, it’s important to note that this newfound power comes with a trade-off. Users must enable chat history, effectively opting in to share their personal data to aid in training the model.
In conclusion, the history of ChatGPT’s internet browsing feature is a testament to OpenAI’s commitment to innovation and user-centric development. It’s a story of challenges, lessons learned, and, ultimately, a triumphant return that empowers users to explore the internet in ways previously unimagined. With responsible use and ongoing improvements, the future of ChatGPT’s internet browsing is as promising as it is exciting, offering users a portal to the ever-expanding universe of online knowledge.
