The latest update to the ChatGPT mobile app introduces an exciting feature that enables users to search the internet using Microsoft’s Bing search engine, enhancing their ability to access accurate and current information within the generative AI tool.
OpenAI guide on how to search the internet using ChatGPT mobile app
OpenAI recently announced several updates for the mobile ChatGPT app in their release notes dated Thursday, 22 June 2023.
The first significant addition is the browsing feature, available to Plus users, which expands the model’s capabilities beyond its original training data.
By enabling Browsing in the app settings’ “new features” section, users can select GPT-4 in the model switcher and choose “Browse with Bing” from the drop-down menu.
This integration with Bing allows for comprehensive answers and real-time insights into various topics and events.
Other features available on ChatGPT mobile app
How to disable search history
Another improvement highlighted in the release notes concerns Search History.
Users now have the convenience of tapping on a search result, which instantly directs them to the relevant point in the conversation, facilitating seamless navigation within the app.
ChatGPT mobile app for iOS rolls out in more countries
OpenAI has also outlined upcoming updates for the ChatGPT mobile app, including the expanded availability of the iOS version in more countries and regions.
Residents of 11 countries, such as Albania, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Jamaica, Korea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, can now download the ChatGPT app from the Apple App Store.
Create links to share ChatGPT conversations
Additionally, OpenAI has introduced a new feature called shared links, allowing users to create and share their ChatGPT conversations with others.
This feature, currently in alpha testing, enables recipients of the shared link to view the conversation or copy it to continue the discussion in their own chats.
OpenAI plans to roll out this feature to all users, including free users, in the coming weeks.
How to delete chat history on iOS
Furthermore, the ChatGPT mobile app now enables users to disable chat history on iOS.
When this setting is enabled, conversations initiated on the device with chat history disabled will not contribute to model improvement, nor will they appear in the user’s history on other devices.
These conversations will only be stored for 30 days, aligning with the web functionality.
However, it’s important to note that this setting does not synchronize across browsers or devices.
Concerns raised about ChatGPT Bing internet search feature
It is worth mentioning that both the browser-based ChatGPT and the mobile app utilise Microsoft Bing as the source for internet searches.
TechCrunch has expressed concerns about Bing’s search results being potentially biased towards Microsoft-related content compared to Google’s search engine, as highlighted in a 2011 analysis.
Additionally, a Stanford study pointed out that Bing’s top search results contained a significant amount of disinformation and misinformation.
The exposure of ChatGPT to biased or incorrect information from the web raises concerns about the potential adverse effects on the AI model’s performance.
OpenAI’s integration of web browsing and search capabilities into the ChatGPT mobile app aims to enhance user experience and provide access to a broader range of information.
As users explore these new features, it becomes crucial to remain vigilant about the accuracy and reliability of the information obtained, considering the potential challenges associated with search engines’ biases and misinformation.