Google is shaking up online research with Deep Research, a feature integrated into Gemini Advanced. This "agentic AI" tool, announced in December, promises to simplify the exploration of complex topics by generating detailed and sourced reports in just a few minutes.
Launched as part of the advancements in Gemini 2.0, this innovation leverages the advanced reasoning capabilities of AI to autonomously analyze the web. Deep Research mimics the human research process, refining its results at each step, and offers a quick and efficient alternative to manual research.
How does Deep Research work?
The user submits a query to the AI, which develops a multi-step research plan. This plan can be modified or approved before the analysis begins. Once the process is initiated, Deep Research scans the web, identifies relevant information, and refines its results based on the collected data.
In just a few minutes, the tool generates a comprehensive, organized report accompanied by links to the original sources. This approach allows users to save time while accessing reliable and detailed information.
A versatile tool for various needs
Deep Research caters to a diverse audience, from students to professionals. For example, a student preparing a presentation on autonomous vehicle sensors can obtain a structured report with just a few clicks. Similarly, an entrepreneur can use it to analyze competition or identify business opportunities.
Of course, this is integrated into the Google ecosystem: reports can be exported to Google Docs, enabling their use and sharing.
Availability and future prospects
Currently available in English for Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web, Deep Research will be extended to the mobile app early this year. Google also plans to integrate it into other languages and improve it based on user feedback.
This tool, like several similar competitors, is part of a broader trend of automating complex tasks with AI. However, this raises questions about the impact on content creators and website publishers, who may see a decline in traffic.
What is agentic AI?
Agentic AI is an artificial intelligence system designed to autonomously perform complex tasks by mimicking human behavior. Unlike traditional AI models, which are limited to responding to simple queries, agentic AI plans, executes, and refines its actions to achieve a specific goal.
These systems use advanced reasoning capabilities to interact with their environment, whether by navigating the web, analyzing data, or making decisions. They adapt in real-time to new information, making them particularly effective for tasks like in-depth research or solving complex problems.
Agentic AI relies on technologies such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning. It can handle extended contexts, like Gemini with its one-million-token context window, allowing it to process large amounts of information at once.
This approach paves the way for applications like Deep Research, where AI acts as a personal assistant capable of performing tasks for the user. However, it also raises ethical and practical questions, particularly about its impact on traditional jobs and digital ecosystems.