OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT feature called “Deep Research” designed to revolutionise how users access and analyse information. This innovative tool leverages the power of OpenAI’s o3 model, optimised for web browsing and Python analysis, to delve deep into hundreds of online sources and generate comprehensive, in-depth reports.
Beyond Quick Answers
Today we are launching our next agent capable of doing work for you independently—deep research.
Give it a prompt and ChatGPT will find, analyze & synthesize hundreds of online sources to create a comprehensive report in tens of minutes vs what would take a human many hours. pic.twitter.com/03PPi4cdqi
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 3, 2025
Aimed at professionals in finance, science, policy, and engineering, Deep Research goes beyond providing simple answers. It empowers users to conduct sophisticated research on complex topics, such as market trends, scientific breakthroughs, or policy implications. Furthermore, OpenAI suggests its utility for informed purchasing decisions, assisting users in researching and comparing options for cars, appliances, and furniture.
How “Deep Research” Works
Users can input detailed queries and upload relevant files, including PDFs and spreadsheets, to guide Deep Research. The tool then efficiently processes and synthesises information from the web, delivering comprehensive reports within 5 to 30 minutes. A convenient side panel provides real-time progress updates and automatically generates citations for all sources used, ensuring transparency and academic integrity.
Future Enhancements
Currently, Deep Research produces text-based outputs. However, OpenAI plans to enrich the experience with embedded images, data visualisations, and other analytical elements to enhance the clarity and impact of the research findings. Integration with specialised and subscription-based data sources is also on the roadmap, further expanding the tool’s research capabilities.
Addressing Limitations
While this new feature offers significant advantages, it’s not without limitations. Occasional factual inaccuracies, challenges in distinguishing between authoritative sources and misinformation, and minor formatting issues may arise. OpenAI acknowledges these limitations and is actively working on continuous improvements to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the tool. Additionally, a more cost-effective version is under development to allow for higher usage limits and broader accessibility.
Availability and Future Plans
Deep Research is currently available to ChatGPT Pro users in select regions with a 100-query monthly limit. OpenAI plans to expand access to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users in the near future. A rollout to ChatGPT Plus users is expected within a month, along with an increase in query limits for all paid tiers. While currently web-only, Deep Research will be integrated into the mobile and desktop ChatGPT apps later this month.
