OpenAI has announced the widespread rollout of ChatGPT's AI search engine to all users, making the feature available to everyone, regardless of subscription tier. This move marks a significant expansion of the AI-powered search engine, which was initially launched to paid subscribers in October.

The news was revealed during OpenAI's "12 days of ship-mas" livestream, where the company also showcased several improvements to the search feature on mobile devices. One notable enhancement is the introduction of a more traditional search engine-like interface, which displays a list of results with accompanying images, ratings, and hours when searching for specific locations, such as restaurants or local attractions.

Users can now click on a location to access more detailed information about the spot, including a map with directions available directly within the app. This update aims to provide a more seamless and intuitive search experience on mobile devices.

In addition to the mobile enhancements, OpenAI has also introduced a feature that enables faster search results for certain types of websites, such as hotel booking platforms. Instead of generating a response immediately, ChatGPT will surface links to relevant websites before providing more detailed information about each option.

Furthermore, ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, available to paid users, can now automatically provide up-to-date information from the web. This feature is designed to enhance the overall search experience and provide more accurate results.

It's worth noting that ChatGPT's search engine has faced criticism in the past, with some users expressing concerns about the accuracy and unpredictability of its results, particularly when searching for news-related topics. Despite these challenges, OpenAI's continued investment in the feature suggests a commitment to improving its capabilities and user experience.

In related news, OpenAI has also launched its text-to-image model, Sora, and introduced a $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription. These developments demonstrate the company's ongoing efforts to expand its AI-powered offerings and provide more advanced tools for users.

The rollout of ChatGPT's AI search engine to all users marks a significant milestone in the development of AI-powered search technology. As the feature continues to evolve and improve, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the search engine landscape and user behavior.