OpenAI has announced the launch of a new ChatGPT-powered search engine, positioning the artificial intelligence firm to compete directly with Google and potentially reshaping how users access news, sports scores, and other timely information online.

The San Francisco-based company shared on Thursday that it is rolling out this search feature to paid ChatGPT users, with plans to extend it to all ChatGPT users over time. OpenAI initially previewed the feature in July with a limited group of users and publishers.

The original ChatGPT, released in 2022, was designed to process vast amounts of text data available online but couldn't answer questions about real-time events beyond its training period. With this update, ChatGPT now moves closer to providing current, live responses, enhancing its ability to cater to information needs as they happen.