DuckDuckGo integrates AI to retrieve direct answers from Wikipedia

Search engine DuckDuckGo is adding a feature that allows users to get instant answers to questions through an artificial intelligence. DuckAssist uses an OpenAI API and retrieves information from Wikipedia.

The feature is first being tested as a beta and will be available to all users in the coming weeks. writes the company. The assistant is called DuckAssist. For some questions, this generates an Instant Answer answer field where a visitor’s question is answered immediately. DuckDuckGo then first gives the option to have the question answered immediately, after which the actual answer follows.

DuckAssist is based on an API from OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and Anthropic. That is a start-up in which Alphabet recently invested $300 million. DuckDuckGo does not say which OpenAI API DuckAssist uses. That could also possibly be the older GPT-3 model instead of ChatGPT.

The answers to questions come mainly from Wikipedia. The AI ​​interprets the user’s question and the most appropriate Wikipedia page that may answer it. In addition, DuckAssist looks at alternative websites such as encyclopedias, but DuckDuckGo does not say how this distribution is.

The makers also warn that the AI ​​mainly answers concrete questions and not subjective questions such as what is the best of something. “That means you won’t encounter DuckAssist for most questions,” the developers say.

DuckAssist is only available in English for now and can only be used in the mobile and desktop apps and via the browser extension during the beta period. Later, the feature will also be available for web users.