Deep Dive Without Deep Pockets: ChatGPT Plus Gets Research Upgrade
OpenAI just handed ChatGPT Plus users a significant upgrade. Deep Research, previously locked behind the $200/month Pro subscription, now arrives for the modest $20/month Plus tier.
The feature creates comprehensive reports on complex topics with minimal effort from users. Plus subscribers receive 10 monthly Deep Research queries. Pro users get a boost to 120 queries, up from the previous 100.
OpenAI enhanced the tool's capabilities alongside this rollout. Images now appear alongside citations, adding visual context to findings. The system also understands file types better, improving its document analysis skills.
Using Deep Research requires no special training. Users simply tap the Deep Research icon before sending their usual prompts. The system handles the heavy lifting, though responses take between five and thirty minutes to generate.
The feature targets professionals in finance, science, policy, and engineering. Researchers and information-hungry consumers also benefit from its precise, well-documented reports.
Document integration received particular attention in this update. The AI now seamlessly blends user-provided files with web information. No more awkward copy-pasting between sources.
OpenAI plans additional enhancements to the feature. Future versions will likely include more visual elements and data visualizations. The company calls the current version "compute intensive," explaining why free users remain on the waitlist.
Why this matters:
- The research playing field just leveled dramatically - what once cost ten Starbucks visits per month now costs just one
- AI research assistants are evolving from novelties into essential professional tools, marking a significant shift in knowledge work
- The gap between consumer and professional AI tools continues to narrow, suggesting we're entering an era where powerful AI capabilities become household utilities
Read on, my dear:
