In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI unveiled a game-changing enhancement to ChatGPT. The AI model can now access the internet to provide up-to-date information, eliminating its previous limitation of relying solely on data up to September 2021. This represents a significant leap forward in the capabilities of the software.

ChatGPT now leverages the power of Microsoft’s Bing search engine to process user queries and extract relevant information from search results, enabling it to generate more accurate and current responses.

This upgrade is currently available to premium users enrolled in ChatGPT’s “Plus” and “Enterprise” plans, with plans for a broader rollout to all users in the near future. OpenAI has not disclosed a specific timeline for the wider release of this feature.

The previous knowledge cutoff date of September 2021 had been a notable constraint for users seeking information on recent developments or events, impacting their research capabilities when using the software.

In parallel, reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that OpenAI is in discussions regarding a potential share sale, which could value the AI company at up to $90 billion. This represents a significant increase from its earlier valuation in January.

The integration of Bing into ChatGPT’s internet browsing capabilities is a result of Microsoft’s substantial investment in OpenAI. With Microsoft holding a 49% stake in OpenAI, the company has set ambitious revenue projections, aiming to generate $1 billion in revenue this year, with even higher figures expected in the coming years.