ChatGPT’s Deep Research tool gathers information from numerous online sources to create detailed reports.
ChatGPT’s Deep Research Tool Promises Analyst-Level Reports
OpenAI is moving fast. Just two days after launching the o3-mini model, the company made an unexpected announcement—introducing "Deep Research," a tool designed to scan, analyze, and compile reports from hundreds of online sources. OpenAI claims the feature can generate research-level reports in minutes, a task that would take humans hours.
How Does Deep Research Work?
Unlike traditional ChatGPT interactions, Deep Research allows users to upload files, including PDFs and spreadsheets, for more comprehensive analysis. Once a query is submitted, the AI takes anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes to generate a detailed response. A side panel keeps users updated on its progress, displaying citations and sources as it works.
“Our goal is to develop a model that can discover new knowledge on its own,” said Mark Chen, OpenAI’s chief research officer, during the launch event. He emphasized that this innovation aligns with the company’s long-term vision for artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Limitations and Concerns
Despite its capabilities, OpenAI admits Deep Research isn’t perfect. The tool can still misinterpret facts or make incorrect inferences, though at a lower rate than previous models. Another challenge is distinguishing credible sources from misinformation. Additionally, some formatting inconsistencies may occur. However, OpenAI expects these issues to improve over time.
How Much Does It Cost?
Google’s AI suite includes a similar tool, also called "Deep Research," which is available under its $20 per month One AI Premium plan. OpenAI’s version, however, is significantly more expensive, requiring a $200 monthly subscription to ChatGPT Pro.
The company justifies the high price by explaining that Deep Research is highly compute-intensive. To manage resource consumption, Pro users are currently limited to 100 queries per month. OpenAI is working on a more cost-effective model to offer greater access in the future.
Who Can Use It?
Only ChatGPT Pro users have access now, but OpenAI plans to roll out the feature to Plus users within a month after additional safety testing. However, European users, including the UK and Switzerland, will have to wait longer, as OpenAI has yet to make Deep Research available in those regions.
