ChatGPT Browsing Enhances Its Capabilities with Web Surfing (beta) Plugins

OpenAI the company behind Chatgpt says it's constantly working to enhance the capabilities of ChatGPT, the popular chatbot powered by advanced artificial intelligence. One of the limitations of ChatGPT has been its lack of access to real-time web data and knowledge of recent world events after 2021. However, OpenAI is introducing plugins for ChatGPT, enabling it to surf the web and access a wealth of information.

What will be introduced is a first set of plugins from Expedia, KAYAK, Milo, OpenTable, Shopify, Slack, Speak, Wolfram, Zapier and others will drastically enhance ChatGPT's utility. This is a major move for the AI innovator, whose CEO, Sam Altman is going to Congress Tuesday May 16 and ask for regulation according to the Financial Times. In a blog, OpenAI made the following statement:

“We’ve created a web browsing plugin which gives a language model access to a web browser, with its design prioritizing both safety and operating as a good citizen of the web. The plugin’s text-based web browser is limited to making GET requests, which reduces (but does not eliminate) certain classes of safety risks. This scopes the browsing plugin to be useful for retrieving information, but excludes “transactional” operations such as form submission which have more surface area for security and safety issues.”

The Power of Web Surfing Plugins

With the introduction of plugins, ChatGPT has taken a major leap forward in its ability to provide users with up-to-date and accurate information. These plugins act as add-ons, created by developers, that can be easily turned on or off depending on the specific needs of the user. They allow ChatGPT to connect to various web services, opening up a world of possibilities.

Expanding Functionality with Third-Party Plugins

The initial wave of plugins for ChatGPT includes offerings from both third-party developers and some of the people using ChatGPT Plus. The user base however is expected to grow quickly. Similar to the functionality seen in Amazon Alexa Skills and reminiscent of Siri, these plugins serve diverse purposes and cater to a wide range of user requirements. For example:

1. Expedia Plugin: For Efficient Trip Management
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, the Expedia plugin is here to help. With seamless integration, ChatGPT can assist you in managing your trip plans, providing information on flights, accommodations, and more.

2. Instacart Plugin: Streamlining Grocery Shopping
We understand the importance of convenience in everyday life. With the Instacart plugin, ChatGPT empowers you to order groceries from your favorite local stores without leaving the comfort of your home. Say goodbye to long lines and hello to hassle-free shopping.

3. OpenTable Plugin: Discovering Culinary Delights
Exploring new dining experiences has never been easier. The OpenTable plugin allows ChatGPT to assist you in finding and booking tables at your desired restaurants. From cozy cafes to fine dining establishments, ChatGPT plugins will likely see a surge in production.

OpenAI's In-House Contributions

In addition to the third-party plugins, OpenAI developed two major plugins in-house to further augment the capabilities of ChatGPT.

1. Web Browser Plugin: Unleashing the Power of Web Searches
To provide ChatGPT with comprehensive access to web data, we have created a web browsing plugin. Designed with a strong emphasis on safety and responsible web citizenship, this plugin enables ChatGPT to perform text-based web searches and retrieve information with the utmost accuracy. Leveraging Bing's search API, ChatGPT can cite sources and provide reliable answers to your queries.

2. Code Interpreter Plugin: Empowering Developers
Recognizing the importance of catering to the needs of developers, OpenAI is introducing a code interpreter plugin. This plugin allows ChatGPT to understand and interpret code snippets, making it an invaluable tool for programmers seeking quick assistance or exploring new coding concepts, which Google's re-release of its Bard AI has shown it can already do.

Maintaining Safety and Efficacy

OpenAI says it prioritizes user safety and wants to ensure that ChatGPT operates as a responsible web citizen. While the web browsing plugin allows ChatGPT to make GET requests and retrieve information, it excludes "transactional" operations like form submissions which can potentially inject harmful data into websites. By adopting this approach, it should minimize potential security and safety risks, delivering a browsing experience that is both reliable and secure. Whether it can top the existing AI enabled browsers like Bing remains to be seen.

Advancements Beyond Existing Solutions

While the web browsing functionality in ChatGPT shares similarities with Bing Chat, the aim of OpenAI must be to surpass the existing capabilities in the market. Acknowledging the challenges in data sorting, identifying outdated sources, and other similar problems faced by users. With ongoing development and continuous improvement, the major players in AI strive to provide value to perhaps outcompete open source AI.

OpenAI's announcement is a landmark in development of AI which people are following closely. ChatGPT is a powerful web-based platform that, so far, has had the most success as a household name. It now enables users to browse the web and access a variety of plugins. If a "democratization of AI" is ideal, OpenAI is leading the way. By making ChatGPT compatible with a variety of useful plugins, users can safely customize their browsing experience even further.

The post OpenAI: ChatGPT Browsing with Plugins Is Here first appeared on Gadget Enclave.