On January 28, 2026, OpenAI officially launched a "AI-native" online workspace called Prism. This tool, designed specifically for researchers, is powered by the latest GPT-5.2 model and aims to completely reshape the processes of scientific writing and team collaboration through deep integration of AI capabilities.
A Versatile Assistant for Scientific Research
Prism is not just a collection of plugins; it is an integrated platform built on OpenAI's previously acquired Crixet cloud LaTeX platform. It breaks the fragmented status of traditional research processes, integrating the following functions into a unified interface:
Multi-functional Integration: Complete text editing, LaTeX compilation, PDF viewing, and reference management within a single cloud space.
Deep Interaction: Built-in Thinking model integrated with GPT-5.2, supporting researchers in exploring ideas, testing hypotheses, and performing complex scientific logic reasoning.
Automated Processing: AI can assist in reconstructing complex formulas, polishing academic paragraphs, and helping with figures and reference citations in papers.
Innovation Conversion: Supports automatically converting hand-drawn whiteboard sketches into standard LaTeX format graphics.
Driving Background: Explosive Growth in Research Demand
Internal data from OpenAI shows that currently, about 1.3 million users discuss complex scientific topics through ChatGPT every week. Notably, advanced science and math users interact approximately 3.5 times more frequently than regular users. The creation of Prism is precisely to meet the specific needs of this high-engagement, highly professional group.
Cloud Collaboration and Future Outlook
As a tool emphasizing team efficiency, Prism has strong real-time collaboration capabilities:
Seamless Sharing: Supports adding an unlimited number of collaborators, allowing multiple people across different regions to edit together through a single link.
Multi-device Coverage: It is now available for free ChatGPT personal account users. In the coming weeks, the tool will gradually be launched on all paid plans, including ChatGPT Business, Team, Enterprise, and Education.
OpenAI noted that if 2025 was the year of AI reshaping software development, then starting from 2026, the research field will experience a similar transformation. By eliminating the "friction costs" in the research process, Prism is becoming an important catalyst for accelerating the pace of global scientific discovery.
