OpenAI is making waves again, this time with a significant deal involving the purchase of the iconic domain name, Chat.com. This domain, one of the oldest web addresses, was bought by OpenAI from Dharmesh Shah, founder and CTO of HubSpot. After the deal, Chat Dot Com was redirected to ChatGPT, the company’s popular AI platform.
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Chat.com has a long history, first registered in 1996. Dharmesh Shah acquired it just last year for around US$ 15.5 million (roughly AED 57 million). In March, Shah announced he had sold the domain, but kept the buyer’s identity under wraps at the time. It wasn’t until later that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, confirmed the acquisition with a simple post: “Chat.com.”
— Sam Altman (@sama) November 6, 2024
This acquisition, valued at over $15 million, is a major investment for OpenAI. Though Shah claims he did not sell the domain name for a profit since Sam Altman is a friend, Shah took a stake in the OpenAI company. The exact details have yet to be disclosed.
On social media, Shah shared his thoughts on the sale, calling Chat.com a valuable space that could inspire the creation of successful products or businesses. This deal is seen as a strategic move to boost OpenAI’s global presence.
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In addition to the domain purchase, OpenAI has rolled out a new Chat history search feature for ChatGPT. Unlike the ‘memory’ feature, which allows ChatGPT to recall past interactions, the new search tool enables users to quickly find specific conversations without endless scrolling. This makes it easier for users to revisit past advice or track down unresolved questions, improving the overall experience. With these moves, OpenAI continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the AI space.