OpenAI launches Deep Research to transform online search

The AI-powered tool can compile and synthesize data from across the internet in minutes.

Deep Research on ChatGPT. © OpenAI

By Laila Azzahra and Anna Fadiah

OpenAI has introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool called Deep Research, designed to collect and synthesize information from across the internet into comprehensive reports. This new development follows the company’s recent release of an AI agent capable of shopping for groceries and making restaurant reservations.

With Deep Research, OpenAI aims to enhance efficiency in gathering and analyzing online data, a process that can typically take a human anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. The company unveiled the tool in a YouTube demonstration on Sunday, just days after showcasing its capabilities to lawmakers and policymakers in Washington, D.C.

How Deep Research accelerates information gathering

Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s chief product officer, emphasized the tool’s ability to handle complex research tasks in a fraction of the time required by humans.

"It can do complex research tasks that might take a person anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days," Weil said during the demonstration in Washington. "With Deep Research, those tasks can now be completed in five to 30 minutes, depending on their complexity."

Deep Research represents a significant advancement in AI-driven information synthesis. Unlike traditional chatbots that answer questions or generate content, this tool functions as an AI agent—capable of navigating the internet, retrieving data, and compiling it into structured reports. The technology can process various online resources, including websites, PDFs, and images, refining the gathered information into a coherent summary.

A demonstration of Deep Research’s capabilities

During the briefing on Capitol Hill, Weil showcased the tool’s potential by simulating a research request related to Albert Einstein. He instructed Deep Research to compile a report on the physicist, framing it as if a Senate staff member were preparing for a congressional hearing where Einstein was a nominee for U.S. secretary of energy.

The AI not only generated a detailed overview of Einstein’s background and contributions but also formulated five potential interview questions that senators could use to assess his qualifications for the role.

"It can surf the web, understand text and images, and analyze PDFs," Weil explained. "What sets it apart is its recursive capability—it conducts an initial search, identifies related sources, and synthesizes all relevant information into a single, comprehensive report."

Addressing AI accuracy and misinformation concerns

One of the biggest challenges with AI-driven research tools is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information they provide. Weil acknowledged that while Deep Research generates citations to indicate the sources of its findings, it is not immune to the issue of AI hallucination—a phenomenon where AI systems produce incorrect or misleading information.

OpenAI has cautioned that the tool may sometimes struggle to differentiate between authoritative sources and unverified rumors. Additionally, it does not always effectively communicate when it is uncertain about specific data.

Despite these limitations, Weil emphasized that Deep Research has the potential to drive economic growth and improve efficiency across various industries, including finance, science, and law.

Availability and pricing of Deep Research

OpenAI has made Deep Research available to users subscribed to ChatGPT Pro, a premium service priced at $200 per month that grants access to the company’s latest AI tools. The company also plans to integrate the tool into its other paid services in the near future.

Deep Research is powered by OpenAI’s latest reasoning technology, OpenAI o3, which builds on the neural network models behind ChatGPT. Unlike earlier versions, OpenAI o3 is designed to "reason" through tasks, learning and refining its approach through trial and error. This capability allows Deep Research to process and compile information more effectively than previous AI models.

The future of AI in research and information synthesis

The launch of Deep Research signals a major shift in how artificial intelligence can be used for knowledge gathering and synthesis. As AI continues to evolve, tools like this could significantly impact industries that rely on in-depth research, from academia and policymaking to business and journalism.

However, the ongoing challenge remains ensuring the reliability and ethical use of AI-generated content. OpenAI’s latest tool may be a step forward in research efficiency, but its accuracy and the potential for misinformation will continue to be key concerns as AI technology becomes more deeply integrated into daily workflows.

With Deep Research now available to early adopters, its real-world impact will soon become clearer. As AI research agents gain traction, the way people collect, verify, and utilize information may be transformed in ways previously unimaginable.