ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, can now retrieve information from online sources and interact with third-party websites through a new plug-in feature introduced by its creator, OpenAI.
The plugin functionality is still in a "limited" alpha stage, initially available to a small group of users before being rolled out to wider access. In a March 23 announcement, the company said users will have to add themselves to a waitlist to use Chat GPT Plus' new feature. Initially, only 11 plugins will be available. These plugins range from allowing users to check live sports scores to booking international flights and buying food delivery. The company added that it is "gradually rolling out the plugin" so it can evaluate its use in the real world.
"Plugins are tools designed specifically for language models with security as the core principle, which can help ChatGPT access the latest information, run calculations or use third-party services," OpenAI said. Sites supported by the new plugin feature include ecommerce platforms Shopify, Klarna and Instacart, as well as travel search engines Expedia and KAYAK.
According to the announcement, the plugins also include Wolfram, a math computer used to perform calculations, and Slack, a business messaging app. ChatGPT uses the Bing API to search for information and a text-based web browser to navigate the results and interact with the site.
It is able to synthesize information from multiple sources to provide a more solid response. It also cites the sources it uses so users can verify where ChatGPT got its responses from. OpenAI said that since the company launched ChatGPT on November 30, high demand from its user base has supported the plug-in functionality.
