Utilizing Deep Research from OpenAI, Learners Discover an Innovative Method to Bypass Academic Assignments
Diving into the realm of academic dishonesty, students now have access to a plethora of tools, among them OpenAI's latest creation – "Deep Research." This feature, reminiscent of Google's Gemini 2.0, is designed to generate extensive reports, saving students the hassle of actually doing research.
OpenAI's Deep Research is available through ChatGPT Pro, a subscription service that costs a hefty $200 a month. The tool does all the heavy lifting, performing multiple web searches and reasoning through the next steps to generate a report. Just as a college professor might do when questioning a student's research paper topic, ChatGPT will ask for clarification on specific points.
Unlike Google's "Deep Research," OpenAI's version operates in a side panel and provides updates on its progress. However, it's important to note that like a lazy undergrad cramming the night before a paper is due, the bot relies heavily on Wikipedia for its information. It won't be accessing any non-digitized books or content secured behind a paywall.
Once completed, you can find the full source list in a separate panel. While the AI may not have access to the most up-to-date surveys from major analysis firms, it does reference reputable sources like Pew Research. But, let's face it, there's always a risk of encountering inaccurate information or suspect data.
In one of OpenAI's examples, the tool conducted market research on language learning by country. It searched for surveys and reports on smartphone penetration and OS adoption to understand digital trends and language interest globally.
While the speed of these AI-generated reports may impress, it's crucial to remember that academic integrity remains a concern. The misuse of these tools, resulting in plagiarized work, can lead to severe consequences.
As OpenAI's Deep Research tool requires significant computing power, the company plans to create a version that will be accessible to Plus, Team, and Enterprise users in the future. Time will tell if this tool becomes more widely accessible and, by extension, more of a threat to academic honesty.
Update 02/03/25 at 12:25 p.m. ET: This post was updated to correct the model of the Deep Learning feature to OpenAI’s upcoming o3 model.
When it comes to AI-assisted academic writing, the question lingers: how far can we push the boundaries before we start to lose the essence of learning and education?
The tech industry's latest innovation, OpenAI's "Deep Research," draws comparisons to Google's Gemini 2.0 in its report generation capabilities for students. While OpenAI's tool operates in a side panel and relies on Wikipedia for information, it references reputable sources like Pew Research in its reports. Undergraduates, much like those cramming for an assignment, might find this feature appealing due to its time-saving benefits. However, the future of academic integrity remains a concern as misuse of such tools could lead to plagiarism with severe consequences.
