OpenAI has introduced a new AI agent called “deep research” that enables ChatGPT to conduct comprehensive research tasks. The feature, currently available to ChatGPT Pro users with limited queries per month, utilizes OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model to analyze information from multiple web sources and compile detailed reports with citations.
The system can process text, PDFs, and images while providing documented sources for verification. According to OpenAI, the tool achieved 26.6% accuracy on Humanity’s Last Exam, significantly outperforming other AI models like Gemini Thinking. The company states that deep research is designed for professionals in fields such as finance, science, policy, and engineering who require thorough and reliable research capabilities.
While the feature shows promise in producing well-cited outputs and handling complex research tasks, OpenAI acknowledges several limitations. The system may make mistakes in distinguishing authoritative information from rumors, struggle with conveying uncertainty, and occasionally produce formatting errors in reports and citations. The company plans to expand access to Plus and Team users, though availability is currently restricted geographically, with no immediate timeline for release in the UK, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area.
Sources: TechCrunch, VentureBeat, One Useful Thing