OpenAI Launches AI Agent for Research Analysis

OpenAI has introduced a new artificial intelligence tool, designed to assist users in performing time-intensive online research. This tool can handle inquiries on a range of topics, from intricate scientific questions to car recommendations, effectively broadening the company's repertoire of AI agents that function on behalf of users.

Introducing Deep Research

The newly launched service, known as Deep Research, will be accessible to selected paying customers via OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. According to a recent blog post from the company, the tool is capable of meticulously searching through text, images, and PDFs available on the internet, as well as user-uploaded files, to compile comprehensive reports.

OpenAI has likened the capabilities of Deep Research to those of a research analyst, claiming that it can accomplish tasks in "tens of minutes" that would usually require many hours of effort from a human being.

Broader Industry Trends

Deep Research marks the second AI agent released by OpenAI in 2025. In January, the company launched Operator, an AI tool that can assist with booking flights, managing grocery orders, and facilitating online purchases. Currently, both of these services are only available to customers who opt for the $200 per month subscription to OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro.

This rollout aligns with a wider movement in the tech industry towards developing agents—AI systems designed to execute complex, multi-step tasks with minimal user oversight. Major players in the sector, including Microsoft and Anthropic, have released their own versions of agent software as well. These technologies aim to enhance productivity by saving users time on both personal and professional tasks.

Challenges and Future Plans

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has stated that the advent of AI agents could represent a significant breakthrough for the technology. However, the competition remains fierce, with concerns rising about the rapid advances in chatbot technology from companies in China.

The company has warned that Deep Research is still in its developmental stages and may present inaccurate information as facts. It also struggles to differentiate between credible information and rumors.

Due to its high computational requirements, initial usage of Deep Research is limited to 100 inquiries per month. OpenAI aims to extend access to this service to other paid subscriber tiers in the future, including its Plus, Team, and Enterprise plans, although a timeline for this expansion has not been disclosed.

OpenAI, AI, Research