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Build an AI research agent that combines web search with professional journalism to perform comprehensive research, fact-check information, and deliver well-structured NYT-style articles.

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What You’ll Learn

By building this agent, you’ll understand:
  • How to use web search tools (DuckDuckGo) for multi-source research
  • How to extract and analyze content from web articles using Newspaper4k
  • How to structure professional journalistic writing with clear instructions
  • How to define output templates for consistent article formatting

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Use Cases

Build investigative journalism tools, research report generators, fact-checking systems, or content analysis platforms.

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How It Works

The agent follows a professional journalism research workflow:
  1. Research: Searches 10+ authoritative sources using DuckDuckGo
  2. Extract: Uses Newspaper4k to pull content from relevant articles
  3. Analyze: Cross-references facts, identifies patterns and trends
  4. Write: Structures findings into NYT-style articles with balanced perspectives
  5. Verify: Ensures all facts and attributions are accurate
The agent maintains journalistic standards of objectivity and includes proper sourcing throughout.

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Code

research_agent.py
from textwrap import dedent

from agno.agent import Agent
from agno.models.openai import OpenAIChat
from agno.tools.duckduckgo import DuckDuckGoTools
from agno.tools.newspaper4k import Newspaper4kTools

# Initialize the research agent with advanced journalistic capabilities
research_agent = Agent(
    model=OpenAIChat(id="gpt-5-mini"),
    tools=[DuckDuckGoTools(), Newspaper4kTools()],
    description=dedent("""\
        You are an elite investigative journalist with decades of experience at the New York Times.
        Your expertise encompasses: 📰

        - Deep investigative research and analysis
        - Meticulous fact-checking and source verification
        - Compelling narrative construction
        - Data-driven reporting and visualization
        - Expert interview synthesis
        - Trend analysis and future predictions
        - Complex topic simplification
        - Ethical journalism practices
        - Balanced perspective presentation
        - Global context integration\
    """),
    instructions=dedent("""\
        1. Research Phase 🔍
           - Search for 10+ authoritative sources on the topic
           - Prioritize recent publications and expert opinions
           - Identify key stakeholders and perspectives

        2. Analysis Phase 📊
           - Extract and verify critical information
           - Cross-reference facts across multiple sources
           - Identify emerging patterns and trends
           - Evaluate conflicting viewpoints

        3. Writing Phase ✍️
           - Craft an attention-grabbing headline
           - Structure content in NYT style
           - Include relevant quotes and statistics
           - Maintain objectivity and balance
           - Explain complex concepts clearly

        4. Quality Control ✓
           - Verify all facts and attributions
           - Ensure narrative flow and readability
           - Add context where necessary
           - Include future implications
    """),
    expected_output=dedent("""\
        # {Compelling Headline} 📰

        ## Executive Summary
        {Concise overview of key findings and significance}

        ## Background & Context
        {Historical context and importance}
        {Current landscape overview}

        ## Key Findings
        {Main discoveries and analysis}
        {Expert insights and quotes}
        {Statistical evidence}

        ## Impact Analysis
        {Current implications}
        {Stakeholder perspectives}
        {Industry/societal effects}

        ## Future Outlook
        {Emerging trends}
        {Expert predictions}
        {Potential challenges and opportunities}

        ## Expert Insights
        {Notable quotes and analysis from industry leaders}
        {Contrasting viewpoints}

        ## Sources & Methodology
        {List of primary sources with key contributions}
        {Research methodology overview}

        ---
        Research conducted by AI Investigative Journalist
        New York Times Style Report
        Published: {current_date}
        Last Updated: {current_time}\
    """),
    markdown=True,
    add_datetime_to_context=True,
)

# Example usage with detailed research request
if __name__ == "__main__":
    research_agent.print_response(
        "Analyze the current state and future implications of artificial intelligence regulation worldwide",
        stream=True,
    )

# Advanced research topics to explore:
"""
Technology & Innovation:
1. "Investigate the development and impact of large language models in 2024"
2. "Research the current state of quantum computing and its practical applications"
3. "Analyze the evolution and future of edge computing technologies"
4. "Explore the latest advances in brain-computer interface technology"

Environmental & Sustainability:
1. "Report on innovative carbon capture technologies and their effectiveness"
2. "Investigate the global progress in renewable energy adoption"
3. "Analyze the impact of circular economy practices on global sustainability"
4. "Research the development of sustainable aviation technologies"

Healthcare & Biotechnology:
1. "Explore the latest developments in CRISPR gene editing technology"
2. "Analyze the impact of AI on drug discovery and development"
3. "Investigate the evolution of personalized medicine approaches"
4. "Research the current state of longevity science and anti-aging research"

Societal Impact:
1. "Examine the effects of social media on democratic processes"
2. "Analyze the impact of remote work on urban development"
3. "Investigate the role of blockchain in transforming financial systems"
4. "Research the evolution of digital privacy and data protection measures"
"""

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What to Expect

The agent will conduct comprehensive research on your query using DuckDuckGo to find multiple authoritative sources. It extracts content from relevant articles using Newspaper4k, cross-references information, and synthesizes findings into a professional NYT-style article. The output includes an executive summary, background context, key findings with expert quotes and statistics, impact analysis, future outlook, and a complete list of sources. All content follows journalistic standards with balanced perspectives and verified facts.

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Usage

1

Create a virtual environment

Open the Terminal and create a python virtual environment.
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
2

Set your API key

export OPENAI_API_KEY=xxx
3

Install libraries

pip install -U agno openai ddgs newspaper4k lxml_html_clean
4

Run Agent

python research_agent.py

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Next Steps

  • Modify the research topic to explore different subjects
  • Adjust the number of sources searched for more comprehensive coverage
  • Customize the expected_output template to match your preferred article style
  • Explore DuckDuckGo Tools for advanced search options