Deep Research, deep impact

Explore how AI agents are reshaping industries, redefining work, and driving enterprise transformation—from breakthroughs to workforce shifts and ethical debates.

Author

Malcolm Frank, CEO
February 10, 2025

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Deep Research, deep impact

Just a few years ago, the prevailing wisdom was that AGI (when machines reach human-level intelligence) was still decades away—2040 was the safe bet, with Ray Kurzweil making the boldest call for 2029.

But after spending several days with OpenAI’s Deep Research, I’m rethinking that timeline. To borrow from Justice Potter Stewart: I can’t define AGI, but I know it when I see it.

Whether Deep Research meets the strict technical definition of AGI or not (most experts would say it doesn’t), it certainly feels like a seismic shift. As an example, over my career I’ve worked on or reviewed countless strategy projects from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, the usual suspects. Deep Research automates 80%+ of that work—and does it better, faster, and cheaper.

After applying it to several real business problems this week, one thing is clear: this is intellectual leverage at an entirely new scale. It organizes ideas, synthesizes vast amounts of data, connects concepts across industries, and grounds every insight in hard evidence. It doesn’t just analyze information—it reshapes how we think.

For years, we assumed AI would first disrupt software developers and marketers. But now? It may be management consultants who are the first to go.

OpenAI’s new Deep Research shows the power of the AI agent era

Achieves new, highest score on “Humanity’s Last Exam” AI benchmark.

ChatGPT's Deep Research just identified 20 jobs it will replace 

Is your job on the list?

Anthropic's "index" tracks AI economy

"AI use leans more toward augmentation (57%), where AI collaborates with and enhances human capabilities, compared to automation (43%), where AI directly performs tasks," Anthropic reports.

AI puts 70% of Britain’s knowledge economy tasks at risk

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said AI’s capabilities are advancing at “breath-taking speed” and the technology is now poised to have a “seismic impact” on British society.

IT unemployment rises to 5.7% as AI hits tech jobs

Artificial intelligence continues to impact the technology labor market.

CIOs are bullish on AI agents. IT employees? Not so much.

IT’s opinion on agentic AI is divided: leaders see agents as core to operations in the near future, while IT staff - who will deploy them - are much more skeptical. 

The end of programming as we know it

AI will not replace programmers, but it will transform their jobs.

50 new enterprise AI case studies

Microsoft compiles a list focusing on four key areas: 1) enriching the employee experience, 2) reinventing customer engagement, 3) reshaping business processes, and 4) driving new innovation. 

Agent of the Week: Fine

Fine is how you build software with AI agents.

The two-step continues: Salesforce slashes 1,000 jobs while hiring for AI roles

The company, in a pivot to agents, will not hire any software engineers in 2025.

Not to be outdone…

Workday axing 1750 jobs amid their move toward AI.

And, one more…

Meta announces layoffs amid push for AI talent.  

Stanford: Study suggests physicians make better decisions with help of AI chatbots

According to new research, doctors may benefit from an LLM assist when faced with a clinical crossroads.

Bain: Generative AI in M&A: You’re not behind—yet

How early adopters are getting faster and better at dealmaking, cutting 50% of cost and getting better results. 

Case Study: Honeywell transforms with AI

16 GenAI use cases in production, available to all 95K employees. 

First-ever public database documenting deployed AI agents developed to address gaps in transparency and safety

Researchers from leading institutions - including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and the Hebrew University - have developed the “Agent Index.”

The global AI race continues

UAE to invest billions to build an AI data center in France. 

And one more thing…

Christie’s announces an AI art auction

And not everyone is pleased. 

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