OpenAI has launched a new feature called Deep Research. This AI tool quickly searches the internet and creates clear, organized reports. OpenAI showcased Deep Research on YouTube on Sunday, February 2, after previewing it for lawmakers and officials in Washington. Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer said, “It can do complex research tasks that might take a person anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days.”
He also said, “Deep Research can surf texts, images, and PDFs. It can do this recursively, starting with one search that leads to others, then combining the information it gathers.”
OpenAI’s Deep Research Tool
While regular chatbots can answer questions, write text, or create images, Deep Research is an AI agent. Unlike traditional chatbots, it can interact with other software and online services. Deep Research can manage various tasks like ordering food through DoorDash or collecting data from online portals to create a report.
During a briefing on Capitol Hill, Weil gave a demo of the tool by commanding it to make a report on Albert Einstein. The scenario imagined Einstein being nominated for US Secretary of Energy. In just a short time, Deep Research gathered his background, and personality insights, and even generated five questions a senator might ask to evaluate his qualifications.
Challenges Facing the Deep Research Tool
Deep Research gives citations for its sources, making it more transparent. However, like many AI tools, it’s not flawless. Weil pointed out the risk of “hallucinations,” where the AI might produce wrong or misleading information.
OpenAI mentioned that the tool could sometimes have trouble telling the difference between reliable sources and rumors, and may not always show when it’s unsure. Despite these challenges, Weil believes it could be helpful in areas like finance, science, and law.
Deep Research Tool’s Subscription
From February 9, ChatGPT Pro subscribers will be able to access the Deep Research feature, which costs $200 per month and includes all the latest features of ChatGPT. The company also plans to make it available through other paid options.
Deep Research, built on the same technology as ChatGPT, uses OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model, an advanced neural network that learns and improves by analyzing data and trial-and-error.
Deep Research is expected to have a major impact on the AI market, offering a major boost to OpenAI’s dominance. As a competitor, DeepSeek is poised to face increasing pressure to innovate further in response to OpenAI’s game-changing tool. Deep Research will be available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers for $200 per month starting February 9, with additional paid tiers coming soon, positioning OpenAI to capture even more of the AI research market.
