Microsoft’s generative search engine weds something new, something old

ZDNET: “Microsoft has been a major player in the AI race and one of the first companies to unveil a chatbot that’s a worthy ChatGPT competitor — Copilot. Now, the company is returning its attention to the project that started it all: the Bing search engine. On Wednesday, Microsoft unveiled a new generative search experience that combines the conversational responses facilitated by generative AI with a search engine results page found in traditional search engines.”

• See also Ars Technica OpenAI hits Google where it hurts with new SearchGPT prototype. New tool may solve a web-search problem partially caused by AI-generated junk online.
• See also [unpaywalled] SearchGPT Prototype. We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.
• See also FT.com – OpenAI to launch ‘SearchGPT’ in challenge to Google. Microsoft-backed group unveils prototype search tool, targeting rival’s $175bn-a-year search business.
• See also Quartz – OpenAI’s rival to Google search is here. OpenAI said it’s testing SearchGPT, a prototype of AI search features it plans to add to ChatGPT
• See also The Guardian – OpenAI tests new search engine called SearchGPT amid AI arms race. Prototype, initially launching with select publishers and users, set to challenge Google’s dominance of online search