A week after unveiling an AI assistant capable of handling everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and restaurant reservations, OpenAI has introduced yet another groundbreaking feature—Deep Research. This advanced AI tool is designed to search the internet, analyze information, and compile structured reports quickly and efficiently.
On Sunday, February 2, OpenAI showcased Deep Research in a live demonstration on YouTube, following an exclusive preview for lawmakers, policymakers, and officials in Washington.
During the event, Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the tool’s impressive capabilities. “It can do complex research tasks that might take a person anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days,” Weil stated, as reported by The New York Times.
He emphasized that Deep Research can complete these tasks in just five to 30 minutes, depending on their complexity and the depth of information required.
Unlike conventional AI chatbots that focus on answering questions, generating text, or creating images, Deep Research operates as an AI agent. This means it can interact with external software and services, enabling it to search, analyze, and summarize online data.
Some of its notable capabilities include:
Searching and retrieving relevant information from the web
Understanding and analyzing text, images, and PDFs
Following search paths recursively to gather and refine information
Interacting with online services, such as ordering food via DoorDash or compiling detailed reports
To showcase its potential, Weil demonstrated Deep Research’s capabilities during a briefing on Capitol Hill. In this scenario, the AI tool was asked to prepare a report on Albert Einstein, as if he were being considered for the position of U.S. Secretary of Energy.
Within minutes, Deep Research compiled:
A detailed background on Einstein
Insights into his personality
Five potential questions a senator might ask during the hearing
“It can surf the web, understand text, images, and PDFs,” Weil explained. “It can do this recursively, starting with one search that leads to others, then combining the information it gathers.”
While Deep Research offers citations for transparency, it is not entirely free from errors. Weil acknowledged that the tool, like other AI models, is susceptible to "hallucinations"—where it generates inaccurate or misleading information.
Some of the challenges include:
Difficulty in distinguishing reliable sources from rumors
Potential misrepresentation of facts due to biased data sources
Unclear indication of uncertainty in its responses
Despite these limitations, OpenAI remains optimistic about Deep Research’s potential applications in finance, science, law, and policymaking.
OpenAI has made Deep Research available exclusively to ChatGPT Pro subscribers, a premium service priced at $200 per month. This subscription grants users access to OpenAI’s latest AI-powered tools, including Deep Research.
Additionally, OpenAI plans to integrate Deep Research into other paid tiers, making it accessible to a broader audience in the future.
Deep Research is powered by OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model, a sophisticated neural network designed to learn and improve through data analysis, pattern recognition, and trial-and-error. This state-of-the-art AI engine allows the tool to adapt, refine its research methodologies, and generate structured insights based on user queries.
Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Online Research?
With the launch of Deep Research, OpenAI is pushing the boundaries of AI-driven research and automation. By enhancing internet-based data retrieval and streamlining information synthesis, this AI agent could significantly transform how businesses, researchers, and policymakers access and analyze data.
However, the tool’s accuracy and reliability will be critical in determining its real-world impact. As OpenAI continues to refine its capabilities, Deep Research has the potential to revolutionize digital research, improve efficiency, and redefine how we interact with AI-powered assistants.