Does ChatGPT have browsing capabilities?
The question on many users’ lips recently has been: Does ChatGPT have browsing capabilities? The answer, somewhat intricately wrapped in the developments of artificial intelligence technology, is both a yes and a no. With the introduction of ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI has indeed enabled web browsing functionalities, specifically through a feature known as Browse with Bing. However, these functionalities come with a set of limitations that leave many feeling rather underwhelmed.
Let’s dive into the depths of Browse with Bing and decipher what it precisely entails, how to utilize it, and most importantly, whether it lives up to the hype.
ChatGPT Plus and Its New Browsing Capabilities
First, allow me to set the stage; the browsing feature is part of the enhanced subscription service, ChatGPT Plus. For those currently using a free version of ChatGPT, brace yourself – you’re going to need to break open that piggy bank. Why? Because Bing browsing is only accessible to Plus and Enterprise subscribers. To turn it on, users must delve into the settings menu, select Beta features, and switch the Browse with Bing toggle to ‘on’. It seems like a simple process, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Upon starting a new session, users must choose between running ‘Browse with Bing,’ ‘Advanced Data Analysis,’ or plugins; it’s a bit of a juggling act.
This latest update thrusts ChatGPT out of its previous confines, wherein it relied solely on data gathered until September 2021 (or January 2022 for GPT-4). The ability to glean insights from the ever-evolving current web leaves many excited, yet the reality of this feature has proven to be significantly more lackluster than anticipated.
How to Enable Browse with Bing
Ready to unlock the browsing potential? Follow these streamlined steps:
- Ensure you’re subscribed to ChatGPT Plus.
- Open the Settings menu in the ChatGPT interface.
- Select Beta Features and toggle on Browse with Bing.
- When initiating a new session, make your selection: Browse with Bing, Advanced Data Analysis, or Plugins. And remember, you can only pick one at a time.
While the process is clear-cut, the actual functionality of Browse with Bing leaves much to be desired.
What Exactly Is Browse with Bing Doing?
Don’t get too excited just yet; a cloud of ambiguity surrounds what Browse with Bing truly does. Both Microsoft and OpenAI have kept their cards close to their chests. If you remember, a similar browsing feature was active last summer before being abruptly disabled due to, shall we say, its rogue behavior, including a notorious penchant for bypassing paywalls. It has now resurfaced, but details about its effectiveness have been scarce.
The mechanics behind Browse with Bing appear straightforward – it requires ChatGPT to do two primary tasks: search and retrieve information. This entails formulating search strings based on user prompts and conducting a search via Bing’s vast crawled internet index. In theory, once the search results are up, ChatGPT would extract relevant information and relay that back to the user.
However, my attempts at testing the platform reveal a different narrative. During interactions, I was met with notifications suggesting things like “Clicking on www.zdnet.com” and “scrolling page.” This brings forth an interesting question: Is there really a mouse at work behind the scenes? Surely, modern AI shouldn’t be cluttered with such antiquated actions. Thus, it’s curious if these notifications are more aimed at catering to a less tech-savvy audience rather than reflecting the actual operation of AI.
Browse with Bing vs. WebPilot
In the world of web browsing capabilities offered to ChatGPT, I’ve discovered another contender: the WebPilot plugin. After initially dabbling with the MixerBox WebSearchG plugin, which left me wanting, I shifted to WebPilot, which has proven reliable and efficient. So, how does Browse with Bing measure up against WebPilot?
Testing out this new feature led me down a rabbit hole of comparisons between the two. Three key tests encapsulated my experiences, where I juxtaposed the output of Browse with Bing against WebPilot during different sessions. For context, I utilized ZDNET for the first two tests and dug into a current news topic for the last.
Finding an Article Reference
One of my first forays was a quest to find references for the term « infraquake, » which I had previously discussed in an article. In a prompt, « What does Gewirtz mean by infraquake, » I posed questions to both interfaces. The response from Browse with Bing was, well, nonexistent. It faltered in understanding my reference. Conversely, WebPilot not only grasped the term but presented the information promptly.
Later in my testing, I prodded the Browse with Bing feature once again, and this time it pulled up references to my earlier articles. What’s notable, however, is that while some queries garnered proper source citations from Browse with Bing, they were inconsistent. This inconsistency is a serious drawback if reliability is what one is after.
Comparing Writing Contexts
Continuing my testing spree, I decided to challenge both systems to analyze and compare the work of two authors, Sabrina Ortiz and me, both of whom have contributed various articles on AI for ZDNET. I planned to feed ChatGPT the prompt: “Find articles and context about Sabrina Ortiz and David Gewirtz.” Here, the results told two starkly different stories. While WebPilot provided a meticulous comparison with recent articles, Browse with Bing was hopelessly lost, returning little to no relevant data.
The disparity in selection and contextual analysis between these two plugins left me wondering how it was possible that one could navigate the web’s vastness with ease while the other stumbled over its own processing limitations.
Briefing on Current News
Last but not least in my explorations was a quest for current events. I queried the status of the recent WGA writers’ strike. In this scenario, Browse with Bing did provide relevant insights, but when the query became more specific, asking for details on the final agreement, it fell short, delivering details that felt truncated and lacking depth compared to WebPilot’s thorough response.
What Does It All Mean?
The bottom line? Browse with Bing emerges as rather disappointing in this showdown. Despite being fresh on the stage, it feels less like a groundbreaking feature and more like a half-hearted attempt at catching up with existing solutions. If you’re on the hunt for insightful web searches or robust data-driven conclusions, WebPilot wins, hands down.
In a nutshell, Browse with Bing is out there sluggishly summarizing information while you could be tapping into the more versatile, reliable capabilities offered by other plugins. It’s like expecting a thrilling rollercoaster ride and ending up on a rickety Ferris wheel. Sure, it’s still a ride, but you might just want to skip it for something more exhilarating.
Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope. Since this feature is still in beta testing, it might evolve into something more cohesive down the line. For now, however, look elsewhere for your browsing needs.
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