OpenAI unveils new 'deep research' tool

On Monday, OpenAI introduced a new tool named "Deep Research," designed to streamline research tasks by automatically gathering and analysing information from multiple online sources.

The tool aims to perform the work of a research analyst in a fraction of the time, completing tasks in minutes that would typically take humans hours.

OpenAI explained that this new feature represents the next step in the capabilities of its ChatGPT technology.

This announcement coincided with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's visit to Tokyo, where he is holding meetings with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son.

Together, they are expected to announce plans to bolster Japan's AI infrastructure, which include building AI data centers and power plants.

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In an interview, Altman also revealed intentions to collaborate with Jony Ive, former chief design officer at Apple, to develop innovative AI hardware. While Altman was optimistic about the project, he cautioned that a working prototype would not be available for several years.

The unveiling of the "Deep Research" tool comes amid increasing competition from China's DeepSeek chatbot, which has gained attention for its high performance and cost-efficiency.