OpenAI has announced an exciting update for ChatGPT users, providing free access to its Deep Research tool. Previously available only to paid subscribers, this tool is now available in a limited capacity for free users, offering them up to five queries per month. The Deep Research tool is designed to provide users with in-depth analyses by tapping into a wide range of sources, including websites, to generate comprehensive reports complete with citations.
The company also rolled out a lighter, cost-efficient version of the Deep Research tool, powered by the new o4-mini model. This upgraded tool is nearly as effective as the original version, producing high-quality results while being more economical for OpenAI to operate. The main trade-off is that the o4-mini model delivers slightly shorter responses, but the company assures users that the quality remains comparable.
Paid users are also benefiting from this rollout. OpenAI has increased the monthly Deep Research queries for Plus and Team subscribers. Plus users, who previously had a limit of 10 queries, can now make 25, while Pro subscribers are granted an additional 125 queries, bringing their total to 250. This update allows for greater flexibility and capacity when using the Deep Research tool.
Enterprise and Educational users will soon be able to access the lightweight version next week. They will also enjoy an additional 15 Deep Research inquiries each month, further enhancing their ability to extract valuable insights from a variety of sources.
As the Deep Research tool expands its user base, OpenAI is clearly positioning it as a powerful feature for those seeking detailed, source-backed reports. The move to include free users with limited access is a step towards democratizing high-quality AI research, making it available to a wider audience.
For more details, you can read the full article on Engadget.