OpenAI has introduced a powerful new feature in ChatGPT called “Deep Research,” designed to revolutionize how users conduct in-depth online investigations. This launch comes at a time when the AI community is abuzz with the rapid rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup making waves with its cost-effective and high-performing chatbot, DeepSeek-R1.
What is OpenAI’s ‘Deep Research’ Tool?
Deep Research is an advanced AI-driven capability within ChatGPT that performs multi-step research tasks across the internet. According to OpenAI, this tool can accomplish in minutes what would typically take humans hours or even days.
“Deep Research is like a superpower,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a post on X. “It can browse the internet, conduct complex research and reasoning, and deliver a well-structured report. It’s incredibly efficient and cost-effective.”
OpenAI describes Deep Research as an autonomous agent capable of planning and executing research trajectories. By gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from hundreds of sources, it delivers comprehensive reports with the depth and precision of a professional analyst.
How ‘Deep Research’ Works
The tool is powered by OpenAI’s upcoming O3 model, optimized for web browsing and data analysis. Designed for professionals in finance, science, policy, and engineering, Deep Research aims to provide accurate, thorough, and reliable research reports. It is also useful for individuals making high-stakes purchasing decisions, such as buying cars, appliances, or furniture.
To use Deep Research, users simply select the option in the ChatGPT message composer and enter their query. They can also attach files or spreadsheets to provide additional context. Once the research begins, a sidebar will display the progress, summarizing the steps taken and listing the sources used. Depending on the complexity of the task, results are typically available within 5 to 30 minutes, and users receive a notification once the research is complete.
In the coming weeks, OpenAI plans to enhance Deep Research with embedded images, data visualizations, and other analytic outputs for even greater clarity and insight.
Competition Heats Up: Deep Research vs. DeepSeek
The launch of OpenAI’s Deep Research comes as DeepSeek, a rising AI contender from China, gains traction. DeepSeek-R1, the company’s flagship chatbot, has drawn attention for its affordability and efficiency, reportedly costing 20 to 50 times less than OpenAI’s O1 model for similar tasks.
Last week, DeepSeek’s free AI assistant surpassed ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store, impacting major tech stocks, including Nvidia. The competition between OpenAI and DeepSeek highlights the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered research and assistance tools, setting the stage for a new era of advanced automation.
With OpenAI’s Deep Research, users now have access to an AI-driven assistant capable of handling sophisticated, multi-step research tasks, paving the way for more efficient and data-driven decision-making in various fields.
