ChatGPT Users Granted Internet Browsing Access, Confirms OpenAI.

Sept 27: - OpenAI, supported by Microsoft (MSFT.O), announced on Wednesday that ChatGPT users will gain the capability to browse the internet, broadening the scope of data accessible to the popular chatbot beyond its previous cutoff date in September 2021.

The artificial intelligence startup announced that its recent browsing capability empowers websites to govern their interactions with ChatGPT.

OpenAI announced that the browsing feature is currently accessible to Plus and Enterprise users, with plans for a broader rollout to all users in the near future. To activate it, users can select "Browse with Bing" from the menu under GPT-4, as detailed in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Additionally, the startup unveiled a significant update earlier this week, allowing ChatGPT to engage in voice-based conversations and interact with users through images. This development brings ChatGPT closer in functionality to widely adopted AI assistants like Apple's Siri (AAPL.O).

OpenAI had previously experimented with a feature as part of its premium ChatGPT Plus offering, which allowed users to retrieve the latest information using the Bing search engine. However, this functionality was later deactivated out of concerns that it might enable users to bypass paywalls.

Earlier this year, ChatGPT achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming the fastest-growing consumer application in history, amassing 100 million monthly active users by January, though it was subsequently surpassed by Meta's Threads app.

The ascent of ChatGPT has sparked heightened investor attention towards OpenAI. Media reports, including one from Reuters on Tuesday, have indicated that the startup is engaging in discussions with shareholders regarding the potential sale of existing shares at a significantly elevated valuation compared to just a few months ago.

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