As artificial intelligence continues to surge in popularity, many brands are eager to integrate it into their products. Among the myriad of tools available, a few stand out for their utility, albeit at a higher price point. One such tool is ChatGPT’s Deep Research, which is evolving to become more accessible to a larger audience.
OpenAI has introduced a lighter version of Deep Research that utilizes its new o4-mini language model. This version is described as “more cost-efficient while retaining high quality.” Most importantly, users can access it free of charge, without the need for a subscription.
What is Deep Research?
Deep Research is designed to conduct thorough web research on any given topic, providing comprehensive and articulate responses similar to an academic paper. It stands in stark contrast to standard chatbot responses, resembling a well-structured research assignment.
Through Deep Research, users can focus their queries on specific sources like academic articles or corporate press releases, yielding a meticulously curated multi-page response complete with citations, headings, tables, and bullet points. In essence, what typically requires hours of research and writing can now be completed in minutes.
Why Is This Development Important?
This new lightweight version of Deep Research not only broadens its reach to free-tier users but also enhances the experience for existing subscribers. Previously, this feature was limited to paid users due to its resource-intensive nature.
How Many Queries Can Users Make?
ChatGPT users can now initiate up to five Deep Research queries monthly, an increase from the prior single attempt allowed for free users. For those subscribed to ChatGPT Plus for $20 (approximately €19) a month, the limit expands to 25. Users of the Education, Team, and Enterprise packages receive a similar cap, while the $200 (approximately €189) Pro package provides 250 attempts each month. After reaching a user’s limit, they will seamlessly transition to the lightweight version.
Though this version may deliver shorter responses, the depth of research remains intact. This is excellent news for individuals unwilling to pay for a subscription but still in need of a robust AI tool to facilitate serious work.
What Sets the Lightweight Version Apart?
OpenAI describes this lighter version of Deep Research as “nearly as intelligent” as the original. Users will find that while the response length may be reduced, the quality and depth of the information provided will not falter, making it a valuable tool for research and learning.
Are there any tools like Deep Research available for free? Yes, other platforms like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity also provide similar research functionalities, making it essential to explore various options.
With this new tool, OpenAI aims to democratize access to sophisticated AI technology, allowing more individuals to leverage robust research capabilities without hefty fees.
If you’re interested in AI innovations that ease research processes, continue exploring related content. For more insightful articles, check out Moyens I/O (https://www.moyens.net).