OpenAI has announced that it will be providing ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users with a new “lightweight” version of its ChatGPT deep research tool.

This tool is capable of compiling research reports on a given topic by scouring the web.

According to OpenAI, the new lightweight deep research, which will be available to free ChatGPT users starting today, is propelled by a modified variant of the o4-mini model.

It is not quite as capable as the “full” deep research, but OpenAI asserts that it is more cost-effective to operate, which allows the company to increase utilization limits.

“In a series of posts on X, OpenAI stated that responses will generally be shorter while still retaining the depth and quality that you have come to expect.”

“When the original version of deep research reaches its limit, queries automatically transition to the lightweight version.”

Recent chatbot launches have included Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and xAI’s Grok, all of which are deep research tools.

AI models that are capable of reasoning and fact-checking themselves are the driving force behind them. These abilities are arguably crucial for undertaking comprehensive research on a particular subject.

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT’s lightweight deep research will be available to Enterprise and educational users next week, with the same usage levels as Team users.