Mon Feb 03 08:32:00 IST 2025: ## OpenAI Unveils Deep Research Tool Amidst Growing AI Competition from China
**Tokyo, Japan** – OpenAI, the US artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT, launched “Deep Research,” a new AI tool capable of conducting extensive online research and generating comprehensive reports in minutes, significantly faster than a human researcher. The announcement comes amidst intensifying competition from China’s DeepSeek chatbot, which has reportedly achieved impressive performance at a lower cost, prompting concerns within Silicon Valley.
Deep Research autonomously synthesizes information from hundreds of online sources, providing analysis and insights comparable to a professional research analyst. OpenAI showcased the tool’s capabilities, demonstrating its ability to recommend ski equipment based on a user’s planned trip to Japan.
The launch coincides with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit to Tokyo for high-level meetings. Altman is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group, a key partner in the US government’s Stargate initiative, a $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure. A joint forum with approximately 500 businesses will focus on boosting Japan’s AI infrastructure, potentially including the construction of new data centers and power plants.
Altman also revealed plans to develop novel AI-powered hardware in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, although a prototype is several years away. While acknowledging DeepSeek’s advancements, Altman downplayed its novelty, suggesting its capabilities are not groundbreaking. However, DeepSeek’s success has fueled accusations of reverse-engineering US technology and prompted OpenAI to increase collaboration with US authorities to counter potential intellectual property theft by Chinese companies. Prime Minister Ishiba is expected to visit Washington D.C. later this week for a meeting with US President Trump.
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