A More Accessible Version of Deep Research is Here
OpenAI has started rolling out a new lightweight version of its deep research tool in ChatGPT. Initially available to Plus, Team, and Pro users, the feature is also now being offered to free users. This move brings powerful research capabilities to a wider audience.
The tool compiles insights from the web into structured research reports on a given topic. While it’s not as advanced as the original deep research version, it offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative for everyday use.
What Powers This New Feature?
The new version runs on OpenAI’s o4-mini model. It’s a smaller sibling to more powerful models but still capable of delivering meaningful results. OpenAI says the responses will generally be shorter, but they’ll still keep the expected quality and depth.
Because it’s less resource-intensive, OpenAI can now raise the usage limits. Once users hit their quota for the original deep research, ChatGPT will automatically switch to the lighter version without breaking the flow.
Coming to More Users Soon
According to OpenAI, the tool will also be available to Enterprise and education users starting next week. They’ll receive the same usage limits as Team users.
The staggered rollout shows OpenAI’s ongoing strategy to make research tools more inclusive, without compromising too much on performance.
The Bigger Picture: AI Race in Research Tools
OpenAI isn’t alone in this. Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Elon Musk’s xAI Grok have all introduced deep research tools recently. These tools rely on reasoning models — AI systems that not only retrieve information but also attempt to evaluate and fact-check it.
This capability is becoming more important as people increasingly depend on AI for quick, accurate knowledge.
But is It Good Enough?
While the move is positive for accessibility, there are concerns. The lightweight tool may not be as comprehensive in handling nuanced research tasks. Users working on detailed or critical topics might still prefer the full version for depth and clarity.
It’s a good step forward, but not a complete substitute if you’re doing in-depth analysis or academic work.
Final Thoughts
OpenAI’s rollout of this scaled-down research tool reflects a practical balance — quality meets accessibility. It’s useful for everyday topics, fast lookups, and lighter reports. But for heavy-lifting tasks, users might still feel the need for the more advanced tools.
Nonetheless, it’s a clear sign that AI research tools are becoming a daily utility, not just a luxury for paid plans.
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