The company OpenAI, which made the famous chatbot, has officially added the ability for ChatGPT to browse the internet in real-time. They did this three weeks after reintroducing the beta version of this feature. But it wasn’t an easy journey.
For a long time, ChatGPT could only use information from data up to September 2021. When people asked about current things, it would say, “I can’t browse the internet in real-time.” But OpenAI wanted to make ChatGPT better by giving it access to more recent data and real-time web searches.
It’s confirmed: ChatGPT can now use the internet in real-time.
ChatGPT’s Web Browsing and Image Creation Features
In March, the company tried out a web-browsing feature with ChatGPT for a small group of users. In May, OpenAI introduced “Browse with Bing,” but in June, they stopped it because some users found a way to access paid content for free. They’ve been slowly bringing the feature back, and now, as of Tuesday, it’s officially out of testing and will be around for a while.
Also, this week, ChatGPT got a new ability to create images using OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, a popular image-making AI model. But this feature is only available to a few users in a testing phase.
Turning Ideas into Images
OpenAI said, “You can ask ChatGPT to turn your ideas into very accurate images, whether it’s a short sentence or a detailed paragraph.”
ChatGPT launched in November and quickly became the fastest-growing consumer app ever, with about 100 million people using it monthly within two months, according to a UBS study. This success started a competition among tech companies to create better features and experiences for their chatbots. OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard are two major players in this race.
Microsoft increased its investment in OpenAI by $10 billion earlier this year, making it the largest AI investment of the year, as reported by PitchBook. In April, the startup raised $300 million in a share sale, with a valuation ranging between $27 billion and $29 billion. Big investment firms like Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz were part of this investment.
YouTube’s AI-Powered Tool
YouTube is working on a tool that uses AI to let content creators record audio with the voices of famous musicians, according to a Bloomberg report.
The platform has been in discussions with music companies to get permission to use songs for training this tool. However, major record labels have not yet agreed to any deal, and talks are ongoing.
Last month, YouTube introduced a set of AI-powered tools, including one that helps creators make video backgrounds and another for automatic voice dubbing in different languages. The music tool was also supposed to launch at that time but was delayed due to the need to secure rights.
The legal aspects surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in creative works, especially when involving people’s names, images, and likenesses, are still being sorted out and have even led to legal disputes.
For YouTube, it will need to navigate a path to ensure the legal use of this new technology. The platform has had a complex relationship with the music industry in the past, but it has improved over recent years as YouTube increased its royalty payments. A spokesperson for the company declined to provide any comments.
AI and the Music Industry
YouTube is part of Alphabet Inc., a technology giant that has been developing AI products for a long time. Alphabet is in competition with various other companies, including Microsoft Corp., to be a leader in what many consider the next major frontier in technology. Alphabet’s increased investment in AI has prompted YouTube to find solutions and create new tools.
The music industry views AI as both a promising new technology and a significant concern. Before paid streaming services like Spotify Technology SA came into play, piracy and user-generated content had a severe impact on the industry. This has made music companies cautious about adopting new technology.
However, artists also recognize that these AI models can open up new possibilities for creative expression. Musicians and record labels are interested in controlling how companies use their copyrighted work to train AI models, making sure they have permission and receive compensation.
Labels started paying closer attention to AI when a song that sounded a lot like it was by Drake, but wasn’t, went viral online.
YouTube’s Role and the Creative Potential
YouTube is positioning itself as a partner in helping the music industry navigate this new technology. Music companies have been open to collaboration and are working with YouTube on a project to brainstorm ideas about AI and music. Warner Music Group Corp.’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, who used to work at YouTube, even spoke at the platform’s recent showcase.
Conclusion
ChatGPT can now browse the internet in real-time, a big step for OpenAI. YouTube is also introducing new AI tools for content creators and working with the music industry, but they’re facing legal issues. These developments show how AI is changing creative fields, bringing both opportunities and hurdles.
