OpenAI’s Deep Research: The AI Researcher at Your Fingertips

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Last night, OpenAI launched Deep Research, an AI agent designed to conduct complex research and deliver high-quality insights in minutes. If you’ve ever spent hours—or even days—digging through sources, compiling data, and putting all of that information into a report, this might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

Click here or the image below to watch a video tutorial I just did on it:

What Is Deep Research?

Deep Research is OpenAI’s latest AI agent, built to independently search, analyze, and summarize information from across the web. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that rely on pre-existing knowledge, Deep Research actively browses the internet in real time, pulling from verified sources and presenting its findings in a structured report.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Automated Research: It scours the web, analyzes sources, and compiles reports—tasks that would typically take a human analyst hours or days.
• Real-Time Browsing: Unlike standard AI models, it doesn’t just rely on pre-trained data—it actively retrieves up-to-date information.
• Cited Sources: Every report includes citations, making it easy to verify and cross-check information.
• Structured Outputs: Expect bullet points, tables, and soon, embedded charts and visuals.

Currently, Deep Research is available to Pro-tier ChatGPT users at $200 per month, but with a limit of 100 queries per month. OpenAI has stated it will roll out to other tiers soon.

How Does It Work?

Using Deep Research is as simple as clicking a button inside ChatGPT and entering a query. The AI then:

1. Clarifies the request by asking follow-up questions.
2. Searches and analyzes relevant sources, scanning potentially hundreds of web pages.
3. Synthesizes the findings into a comprehensive report.
4. Provides citations for transparency and further exploration.

A query that would take a research analyst several hours—like “Analyze LinkedIn Live’s impact on small business sales”—was completed in just 15 minutes, reviewing 23 sources and providing structured insights.

Real-World Tests: What It Can Do

To see Deep Research in action, I ran several tests across different industries. Here’s what happened.

1. Business & Marketing Research

I asked Deep Research to analyze how LinkedIn Live impacts small business sales, providing data, case studies, and actionable insights. It took 15 minutes, reviewed 23 sources, and produced a report covering:

• Engagement statistics
• Audience behavior
• Case studies from businesses using LinkedIn Live
• Best practices for leveraging live streaming for sales

For a more specific test, I asked it to analyze only LinkedIn Live events rather than general live streaming. This time, it took 5 minutes and reviewed 20 sources, providing platform-specific insights, including:

• A breakdown of seven times more reactions and twenty-four times more comments compared to static content
• B2B engagement trends
• Conversion rate statistics

2. Consumer Research: Finding the Best SUV

I wanted to see how well Deep Research could handle consumer product research, so I asked it to find the best SUV for a family of six that wasn’t a minivan, prioritized safety, and had modern technology for road trips.

It asked clarifying questions, such as:

• Budget range (luxury, mid-range, or budget-friendly)
• Seating preference (captain’s chairs vs. bench seating)
• Fuel preference (gasoline, hybrid, or electric)
• Specific tech features (sunroof, rear-seat entertainment)

After eight minutes and five sources, it returned a list of top options, including:

• Kia Telluride
• Hyundai Palisade
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Toyota Grand Highlander
• Honda Pilot

Each recommendation came with reasoning based on seating, safety ratings, cargo space, and technology.

3. AI as a Personal Assistant: Identifying a TV Show from a Vague Memory

I tested Deep Research’s ability to recall niche information. I described a TV show I had watched years ago with limited details:

• A scientist lost his son and tried to go back in time to save him.
• The son was around ten years old.
• The scientist started working with the FBI on strange cases.

Within seconds, Deep Research correctly identified the show as Fringe, even offering additional details about the plot.

4. Healthcare Research: Pediatric Cancer Survivors’ Long-Term Health

As a pediatric cancer survivor, I wanted to see how well Deep Research could compile health recommendations. I asked it to find the best data related to long-term health and lifestyle recommendations for pediatric cancer survivors.

It asked:

• Should it prioritize medical institutions, advocacy groups, or research studies?
• Should it focus on specific health concerns or general well-being?
• What time range of studies should it include?

After five minutes and 15 sources, it returned a structured report covering:

• Common long-term health effects
• Lifestyle modifications for improved health
• A detailed table comparing risks vs. recommendations
• A breakdown of survivorship care plans

5. UX/UI Research: High-Converting Webinar Landing Pages

I wanted to see how Deep Research could analyze digital marketing trends, so I asked it to find the best data on high-converting webinar landing pages, with a preference for:

• At least one table
• One visual chart (which it currently cannot generate)
• Bullet points for readability

It took five minutes, analyzed 22 sources, and provided:

• A breakdown of headline placement, form length, and call-to-action positioning
• Data on registration conversion rates
• A step-by-step guide to optimizing a webinar page

Who Can Benefit from Deep Research?

Deep Research isn’t just for tech enthusiasts—it’s built for professionals across industries.

• Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs – Conduct competitive analysis, market research, and strategy planning in record time.
• Marketers & Sales Teams – Identify trends, analyze audience behavior, and optimize campaigns using real-time data.
• Consultants & Analysts – Speed up due diligence, industry reports, and strategy recommendations.
• Healthcare & Science Professionals – Synthesize medical research, clinical studies, and policy insights.

What’s the Catch?

While powerful, Deep Research has some limitations:

• Query Limitations: The $200/month Pro plan comes with a limit of 100 queries per month.
• No visual charts (yet): OpenAI plans to add embedded images and data visualizations in the coming weeks.
• Still requires human oversight: While it cites sources, it’s crucial to verify claims for accuracy.
• Access is limited: Currently available only to Pro users, making it a premium tool for now.

Conclusion

Deep Research is a glimpse into the future of AI-driven knowledge work. It doesn’t just summarize existing data—it actively searches, analyzes, and presents insights, making research faster and more efficient.

Let's continue to grow together,

Shanee Moret

Founder at GrowthAcademy.Global

PS: Click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more AI-focused videos and tutorials.