ChatGPT goes beyond its limits with new plugins connecting the chatbot to the Internet

SAN FRANCISCO, Cali (TechtUSA) - OpenAI has announced that its language model ChatGPT can now access and interact with websites on the internet, thanks to new plug-ins. These plug-ins not only allow ChatGPT to browse the web but also interact with specific websites, making it a more versatile and wide-ranging interface for various services and sites.

This development will enable ChatGPT to access information beyond its training data, which was limited to only up to 2021, and potentially turn it into a more powerful tool for users. OpenAI describes it as letting other services become ChatGPT's "eyes and ears."

ChatGPT evolution continues with plug-ins for improved web connectivity and real-time data access

OpenAI has introduced plug-ins for ChatGPT that can connect the chatbot with external websites and APIs to offer a more enhanced web connectivity experience. These plug-ins can allow ChatGPT to browse and interact with specific websites, which can turn the chatbot into an all-encompassing interface for different services and sites.

Initially, OpenAI is launching plug-in access for a limited number of users, offering 11 plug-ins for external sites like OpenTable, Expedia, Kayak, Klarna Shopping, and Zapier, as well as some of its own plug-ins.

The plug-ins are designed to retrieve real-time data, as well as connect with APIs, allowing ChatGPT to perform actions on behalf of users like booking flights and accommodations.

We’ve added initial support for ChatGPT plugins — a protocol for developers to build tools for ChatGPT, with safety as a core design principle. Deploying iteratively (starting with a small number of users & developers) to learn from contact with reality: https://t.co/ySek2oevod pic.twitter.com/S61MTpddOV

— Greg Brockman (@gdb) March 23, 2023

While this added functionality raises safety and security concerns, OpenAI has implemented several safeguards, by limiting plug-in access to a small number of users and prioritizing select developers and ChatGPT Plus users for initial plug-in access.