OpenAI, the giant behind ChatGPT is best known for catapulting what we understand about AI into the mainstream. Their latest release, ‘Deep Research’, could change how we use AI on a massive scale.
Deep Research is an AI agent that is able to conduct multi-step internet research. The tech giant claims that Deep Research is able to accomplish ‘in tens of minutes what would take a human many hours.’
What is OpenAI Deep Research?
OpenAI’s Deep Research is an AI agent that can conduct complex research across the internet in a matter of minutes.
An AI agent is a type of artificial intelligence that can interact with its environment as well as collect data. It can use this data to perform specific tasks and learn as it does so.
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If you provide ChatGPT with a prompt, Deep Research allows it to find, analyze, and online sources and then create a comprehensive report that OpenAI claims will be at the level of a research analyst.
Deep Research is powered by OpenAI o3, OpenAI’s upcoming model. This allows the AI agent to ‘search, interpret, and analyze massive amounts of text, images, and PDFs’. It will also be able to adjust and pivot in reaction to the information in encounters.
The Deep Research agent works within the usual ChatGPT interface. It can take anywhere from five to thirty minutes for research to be carried out. During this time a side bar will appear that summarises the steps taken and sources used.
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The research created will be presented as a report within the chat interface. OpenAI says they will be adding data visualizations, images and other outputs to these reports in future.
Deep research marks a huge step towards OpenAI mission to create artificial general intelligence. Artificial general intelligence is a theoretical kind of artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence and understanding.
In a press release OpenAI state that Deep Research will be fundamental to AI ‘producing novel scientific research’ as the ‘ability to synthesize knowledge is a prerequisite for creating new knowledge.’
AI companies are racing to be the first to develop genuine AGI, further fueling the current rapid pace of AI research. While this drive for innovation can lead to significant advancements, it also raises concerns about the ethical implications and potential consequences of AGI.
How to use Open AI Deep Research?
Deep Research agent is currently available to Pro ChatGPT users only, however OpenAI confirms it will soon be made available to Plus and Team users.
Deep Research sits within the usual ChatGPT interface to use it:
- Open ChatGPT
- Select ‘deep research’ in the message composer.
- Enter your research query. You can also attach documents
- Press Enter and the research will begin. This could take up to thirty minutes. A sidebar will appear with a summary of the steps taken and sources used.
- You will receive a notification when the research is complete.
