The ChatGPT-fueled battle for search is bigger than Microsoft or Google. Under the radar, a new wave of startups have been playing with chatbot-enhanced search tools for months. Companies like Perplexity, Andi, and Metaphor are combining chatbot apps with upgrades like image search, social features, and real-time information retrieval. Google and Microsoft have also jumped into the chatbot search game after the success of ChatGPT. Building a search engine and integrating it with a large language model has become easier with off-the-shelf software.

The ChatGPT-fueled battle for search is bigger than Microsoft or Google. Under the radar, a new wave of startups have been playing with chatbot-enhanced search tools for months. Companies like Perplexity, Andi, and Metaphor are combining chatbot apps with upgrades like image search, social features, and real-time information retrieval. Google and Microsoft have also jumped into the chatbot search game after the success of ChatGPT. Building a search engine and integrating it with a large language model has become easier with off-the-shelf software.

You.com, co-founded by former Salesforce AI scientist Richard Socher, recently introduced multimodal search and a feature that allows users to share their exchanges with the chatbot. Perplexity, created by former researchers from OpenAI, Meta, and Quora, is taking search in a different direction by using large language models to summarize search results. Despite these advancements, traditional search engines will still play a role in the future of search.

A concern with large language models is their ability to generate false information and manipulate people's critical reasoning abilities. Search Coach, dubbed as "a search engine with training wheels," aims to help users, particularly students and educators, learn how to write effective search queries and identify reliable resources. Balancing convenience and critical thinking is crucial in the consumer tech industry, but it also raises fundamental questions about the state of the internet.

On a different note, NFT creators are opting for the cc0 strategy, which allows them to waive their rights to exclude others from using their intellectual property. While this may seem counterintuitive, open sharing and experimentation can actually increase the value of intellectual property. Open source movements have thrived in the crypto space, promoting remix culture and community building. By allowing derivatives of their work, creators can attract attention back to the original project, strengthening its position and inspiring further interpretations.

The Linux operating system is a prime example of the value of open source and remixing. As more people contributed to its development, Linux became the dominant choice for web servers and smartphones. Similarly, decentralized systems like NFTs rely on trust and coordination among strangers, making cooperative opportunities essential. To reach the potential of Linux-like growth, infrastructure services that support remixing opportunities need to be readily available.

Composability is key in the growth of cc0 NFT projects. By building assets on public standards and interoperable infrastructure, users can easily integrate their assets into different platforms. Additionally, cc0 NFT projects can earn ongoing royalties from secondary sales, making third-party expansions and derivatives a source of revenue. Adopting cc0 can turn competition into cooperation, allowing companies to use the actual work rather than creating imitations.

In conclusion, the battle for search is expanding beyond traditional players like Google and Microsoft. Startups are leveraging chatbot-enhanced search tools, and off-the-shelf software has made it easier to build search engines integrated with large language models. However, it's important to balance convenience with critical thinking. NFT creators are embracing the cc0 strategy, promoting open sharing and experimentation. By allowing derivatives, creators can attract attention back to their original work and inspire further interpretations. To maximize the potential of cc0 projects, supporting infrastructure services and composability are crucial.