Microsoft Azure AI Foundry Deep Research Tool: Automating Complex Analysis with AI

How Microsoft’s specialized AI system combines GPT models with Bing search to automate multi-step research workflows

1. What Is the Deep Research Tool?

Microsoft’s Deep Research tool (core engine: o3-deep-research) within Azure AI Foundry solves complex research tasks through a three-component architecture:

1. GPT-4o/GPT-4.1 models: Clarify user intent
2. Bing search integration: Retrieve current web data
3. o3-deep-research model: Execute step-by-step reasoning

When users submit research questions (e.g., “Compare quantum vs. classical computing for drug discovery”), the system first clarifies requirements via GPT models, then gathers authoritative data through Bing, and finally generates structured reports with full source documentation.

2. Technical Workflow Explained

Four-Stage Research Pipeline

[object Promise]

Core Capabilities

3. Critical Implementation Requirements

1. Compliance Boundaries (Essential)

- Bing usage transfers data outside Azure compliance boundaries
- Requires acceptance of [Bing Terms of Use](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/bing/apis/grounding-legal)
+ Transmitted data limited to: Search queries, tool parameters, resource keys
- No end-user personal information included

2. Regional & Deployment Constraints

Currently available in:

3. Prerequisite Resources

Required deployment components:
1. Azure subscription
2. o3-deep-research model access ([Request form](https://aka.ms/OAI/deepresearchaccess))
3. Bing Search connector resource
4. GPT model deployment (e.g., gpt-4o)

4. Deployment Guide with Technical Specifications

Core Deployment Principle

Triple colocation: AI Foundry project + o3 model + GPT model must reside in the same region (West US or Norway East)

Configuration Workflow

1. Create AI Foundry Project
   [](Configuration reference)

2. Connect Bing Search Account
   [](Security requirements)

3. Deploy o3-Deep-Research Model

   # Python SDK deployment example
   from azure.ai.foundry import DeploymentClient
   client = DeploymentClient()
   client.create_deployment(
       model="o3-deep-research", 
       version="2025-06-26", 
       region="westus"
   )
   

   [](Parameter specifications)

4. Deploy GPT Clarification Model
   [](Example: gpt-4o)

5. Enterprise Value Proposition

Traditional vs. AI-Powered Research

Industry Applications

1. Financial Analysis: Automated competitive intelligence reports
2. Medical Research: Clinical trial data synthesis
3. Technology Scouting: Emerging trend mapping
4. Academic Research: Cross-disciplinary literature analysis

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are there usage costs?

Bing searches may incur costs per 👉Bing pricing policy. Resource keys enable billing and rate limiting.

Q2: How is data secured?

Enterprise-grade encryption protects transmissions, but Bing services operate outside Azure’s compliance boundary per 👉terms.

Q3: What SDKs are supported?

Currently only Python SDK is available for both basic and standard agent configurations.

Q4: Can I use private data sources?

Current version exclusively uses Bing web search and doesn’t support private knowledge bases.

Q5: What’s in the final report?

Three core elements:

1. Research conclusions
2. Step-by-step reasoning
3. Source citations

7. Technical Process Visualization

Research Execution Flow

[object Promise]

8. Developer Implementation Notes

Service Quotas

Auditability Features

All outputs comply with 👉Azure OpenAI transparency standards through:

1. Full reasoning chain visibility
2. Source provenance tracking

Next Steps for Implementation

▶️ Explore 👉official usage samples
▶️ Initiate test project deployment
▶️ Monitor service availability updates for Norway East region