In an exciting development for AI enthusiasts and researchers alike, OpenAI has recently announced the rollout of a new lightweight version of its Deep Research AI agent. This innovative tool, which was first introduced two months ago, is designed to tackle complex, multi-step research tasks by efficiently sifting through vast amounts of information available online. Initially, the Deep Research tool was made available primarily to the elite tier of Pro users, but OpenAI has since expanded access to all subscribers of ChatGPT, including those on Plus, Team, Edu, and Enterprise plans, albeit with varying monthly usage limits depending on the subscription tier.

The Deep Research AI agent acts as an advanced digital research analyst, capable of conducting in-depth investigations across a multitude of web sources. Its primary function is to find, analyze, and synthesize information, producing comprehensive reports that include citations, making it an invaluable resource for anyone needing to perform extensive research.

This deep research capability is powered by a specialized version of OpenAI's o3 model, which is specifically tuned for browsing and data-related tasks. The model is designed to leverage strong reasoning capabilities, enabling it to handle nuanced queries and uncover niche details that might otherwise be overlooked. However, its important to note that tasks can take considerable time to complete due to the thoroughness of the investigations.

In the latest update, OpenAI introduces a new lightweight version of the Deep Research tool, powered by a different enginethe o4-mini model. According to OpenAI, this new iteration is more cost-effective to operate, which allows the company to increase the total number of research tasks that users can perform. While the company assures that this lightweight version retains much of the "depth and quality" of the original tool, it does note that responses generated by the lightweight version will generally be shorter.

The addition of these lightweight tasks will supplement the existing limits associated with the original Deep Research tool. OpenAI has confirmed that the initial rollout of this new feature is available for ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users. Additionally, free users can access the lightweight version immediately, while Enterprise and educational users are expected to gain access shortly thereafter, with usage levels matching those of Team users.

This advancement represents a significant step forward in making sophisticated AI research tools more accessible to a broader audience, enhancing research capabilities for both professionals and casual users.