ChatGPT search can't find the real news, even with a publisher holding its hand

ChatGPT's search feature, introduced in October, has significant accuracy issues when sourcing news stories, according to a Columbia University study. The AI often misattributes quotes, fabricates sources, or uses unauthorized content, regardless of whether publications block OpenAI's web crawlers or have licensing deals. This undermines trust in both AI and journalism, potentially making OpenAI's partnerships with news outlets less valuable. While ChatGPT search can be useful, users should verify information independently to avoid relying on hallucinated answers.