How OpenAI’s Deep Research Agent Outperforms Competitors like DeepSeek

In a groundbreaking move, OpenAI has introduced a new agent for its flagship AI product, ChatGPT—one that promises to redefine the way we conduct research. 

Dubbed the “deep research” agent, this feature is engineered to scour the internet, synthesize vast amounts of information, and present findings in a highly structured report, mirroring the work of a professional research analyst. 

With the promise of precision and accuracy, OpenAI is setting a new standard for AI-assisted research, opening doors for a variety of industries, from finance to engineering.

What is OpenAI’s Deep Research Agent?

OpenAI’s deep research agent, unveiled on February 2, 2025, is designed to cater to professionals engaged in high-level research—those whose work requires deep dives into complex topics. 

Think of researchers in fields like science, policy, engineering, and finance. This AI tool is specifically built to deliver thorough, reliable, and well-documented research outputs. 

According to OpenAI, the agent's responses are well-cited and can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to generate. 

These outputs not only provide an in-depth analysis of the topic at hand but also a clear summary of the agent’s reasoning and thought process, ensuring transparency and reliability.

Beyond Traditional Research: Broader Applications of Deep Research

While the primary target audience for OpenAI’s new agent includes researchers in technical and policy-driven sectors, its utility extends beyond the boundaries of academia and high-stakes industries. 

The deep research agent also caters to individuals who are looking to make informed, well-researched decisions before committing to significant purchases, such as vehicles or home appliances. 

Its ability to pull together diverse data points and present them with documented evidence makes it a powerful tool for everyday consumers as well.

Read Also: China's AI Strategy: Seeing How AI Is Developing in East Asian Hands

A Leap in AI Capabilities: Powering the Agent with OpenAI o3

At the heart of the deep research agent is OpenAI’s latest reasoning model, o3. This model is designed with web browsing and data analysis optimization in mind, giving it the ability to fact-check and ensure accuracy—an essential feature for conducting high-level research. 

The o3 model marks a leap forward in AI capabilities by incorporating advanced reasoning techniques that help reduce the likelihood of factual errors or hallucinations in the generated content. 

Nonetheless, OpenAI has cautioned that while the deep research agent is a significant advancement, it is not immune to occasional errors. 

There may be instances where the agent could struggle with distinguishing credible sources from misleading or unreliable information, underscoring the inherent risks of AI in its current form.

ChatGPT’s Deep Research Agent Performance and Accuracy

In an interesting development, the deep research agent recently underwent evaluation through Humanity’s Last Exam, a rigorous AI evaluation featuring 3,000 expert-level questions across more than 100 topics. 

The agent achieved an impressive 26.6% accuracy rate, a stark contrast to the 9.4% score of DeepSeek-R-1, a competitor AI model, and a mere 3.3% for OpenAI’s GPT-4o model. This result highlights the agent's capabilities in tackling complex research questions with an accuracy level previously unseen in the AI space.

Comparing OpenAI’s Deep Research Agent with DeepSeek

The competition in the AI research space is intensifying, especially with the rise of DeepSeek—a China-based AI model that has garnered attention for its reportedly cost-effective approach and impressive performance. 

In January 2025, DeepSeek released a new model, DeepSeek-R-1, which was designed to perform on par with leading AI systems like ChatGPT. However, when compared to OpenAI’s deep research agent, DeepSeek's model falls short in several key areas.

One of the most notable comparisons comes from their performance on the Humanity’s Last Exam. OpenAI’s deep research agent scored 26.6% accuracy on this expert-level test, a significant leap over DeepSeek-R-1, which scored just 9.4%. 

This performance gap underscores the strength of OpenAI’s deep research agent in handling highly specialized, knowledge-intensive queries. 

In contrast, DeepSeek-R-1’s lower score indicates that while it may be a strong contender in certain applications, it still lags in terms of the depth and reliability required for more demanding research tasks.

Moreover, OpenAI’s deep research agent is powered by the latest o3 reasoning model, which is specifically designed for web browsing and data analysis, further optimizing the agent’s accuracy and precision. 

This advanced capability is a crucial advantage over DeepSeek, as it allows OpenAI’s system to cross-check and validate facts in real-time. 

In contrast, DeepSeek, while highly efficient and cost-effective, lacks the same level of sophistication when it comes to integrating real-time web browsing with data analysis and reasoning.

However, DeepSeek's advantage lies in its low cost. DeepSeek’s model has been developed at a fraction of the cost compared to OpenAI’s offerings, making it an attractive option for users who are more price-sensitive. 

Despite this, the cost-effectiveness of DeepSeek comes with trade-offs in performance and reliability, especially when it comes to high-stakes research where accuracy is paramount.

Read More: What is DeepSeek R1? The AI Model That Shook NVIDIA’s Dominance

A Growing Competition in the AI Research Field

The unveiling of OpenAI's deep research agent comes on the heels of a competitive move from Google. In late January 2025, Google announced its own “Deep Research” feature for its Gemini AI, set for launch in early 2025. This rapid development signals a shift toward the widespread integration of deep research tools in AI systems across the tech industry. 

The competition intensifies further as the AI space sees a wave of new, cost-effective models—such as the DeepSeek AI from China, which reportedly performs on par with ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost. 

These developments are prompting heavy scrutiny, with reports suggesting that Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating potential data misuse linked to DeepSeek’s rise.

Subscription Access and Future Expectations

For now, OpenAI’s deep research agent is available exclusively on the $200-per-month Pro plan, which is capped at 100 queries per month. 

This access allows users to leverage its advanced research capabilities, but its premium price and query limits may limit widespread adoption for casual users. 

As AI research tools like this become more common, one can expect more flexible and accessible pricing models in the future, further democratizing access to high-level research capabilities.

Read Also: DeepSeek R1 and DeepSeek V3 - Comparing Two DeepSeek Output Models

Conclusion

OpenAI’s deep research agent is a monumental step in the evolution of AI, demonstrating an advanced level of understanding and reasoning that is set to revolutionize how professionals and consumers alike approach research. 

While it is not without its challenges—such as occasional factual inaccuracies and the occasional struggle with authoritative sources—the deep research agent represents a significant leap forward in the field of artificial intelligence. 

As the AI space continues to evolve, OpenAI's innovations will undoubtedly shape the future of knowledge work, pushing the boundaries of what machines can accomplish in terms of deep, comprehensive analysis.

FAQ

Q: What is OpenAI’s deep research agent in ChatGPT?
A: OpenAI’s deep research agent is a new feature that allows ChatGPT to conduct in-depth research by browsing the internet, gathering information, and creating detailed reports with clear citations. It's designed for professionals in fields like finance, science, and policy, offering reliable and well-documented research outputs.

Q: How accurate is OpenAI's deep research agent?
A: The deep research agent scored 26.6% accuracy on the Humanity’s Last Exam, a test with 3,000 expert-level questions. This is significantly higher than competitors like DeepSeek, which scored 9.4%, and OpenAI’s own GPT-4o, which scored 3.3%.

Q: What kind of research can the deep research agent perform?
A: The agent can handle intensive research in areas such as finance, engineering, science, policy, and more. It can also assist with consumer research, like comparing products before making big purchases (e.g., cars or appliances).

Q: What model powers the deep research agent?
A: The deep research agent is powered by OpenAI’s o3 model, which is optimized for web browsing and data analysis. This model ensures high accuracy by fact-checking and reasoning through the data it collects.

Q: Are there any limitations to the deep research agent?
A: While the agent is highly advanced, it can sometimes “hallucinate” facts or make incorrect inferences. Additionally, it may struggle to distinguish authoritative information from rumors.

Q: How can I access the deep research agent?
A: The deep research agent is available on OpenAI’s $200-per-month Pro plan, which provides access to up to 100 queries per month.

Q: How does the deep research agent compare to DeepSeek?
A: While DeepSeek is a cost-effective alternative, OpenAI’s deep research agent outperforms it in accuracy and reliability. The deep research agent scored 26.6% on the Humanity’s Last Exam, far surpassing DeepSeek’s 9.4%. DeepSeek is more affordable, but its performance lags behind OpenAI's offering in high-stakes research.

Q: Can the deep research agent make mistakes?
A: Yes, the deep research agent can occasionally make mistakes, especially when distinguishing reliable information from less authoritative sources. OpenAI has cautioned users about the possibility of errors, even though the agent strives for accuracy.

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