The research copilot: using Gemini’s Deep Research (and friends) for real work

Here’s what I’ve learned: AI is great at first passes and terrible at unverified facts. Tools like Gemini’s Deep Research help pull material together faster if you give them a tight brief — and you actually check the sources. blog.google

The flow I use

1. Question shaping: write the exact decision you’re making (“Which model is best for customer replies given tone + cost?”).
2. Deep Research run: ask for sources first, not summaries. blog.google
3. Human scan: open the top 5 links; skim credibility and dates.
4. Second pass: ask for a structured brief with quotes and links.
5. Draft: generate an outline and a page of copy — then I rewrite the intro and conclusion myself.

When I don’t use it

• Anything involving confidential data.
• Niche, high-stakes claims (compliance, health, financial advice).
• Topics where Australian context is essential but thin online — I’ll ring a local subject-matter mate before trusting the web.

What this gets you
Faster first drafts and fewer rabbit holes. Just remember: skim, verify, and rewrite the bits your brand stands on.

Want the system set up for your team?
We’ll standardise the research prompts and review steps inside your stack in a week. Start with the Free AI Audit, or go direct to AI Services.