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An AI research tool "leverages artificial intelligence to assist researchers in various aspects of their work. These tools can automate data analysis, enhance literature reviews, generate insights, and streamline research" (Digital Ocean). So instead of creating content, a research tool helps you find things. They are purpose-built for research as opposed to general use AI, such as ChatGPT. For example the AI research tool Consensus is “built on a database of over 220 million peer-reviewed research papers” (Elechko). And while ChatGPT may also be trained on such material, in this tool “every response is tied back to a real research paper and is grounded in scientific research” (Elechko). 

As with all AI, it is important to use caution. An AI research tool “does not ‘read’ papers like a person—it matches or extracts sections of text based on similarity in meaning to your input” (Dagan). There is still a risk it generates false information (“hallucinates”), misrepresents information in sources, fails to consider source authority, misses sources or overgeneralizes. Thus it is important to directly check the sources referenced in any AI-generated summary. Lastly, always talk with your professor and review the relevant policies (syllabus, etc.) before using generative AI in your work.

For a list of generative AI Research Tools, visit this Artificial Intelligence guide from Georgetown University that provides a list of some of the more popular ones.  Please note that the library does not endorse any specific tool on this list.

For additional information on generative AI visit this Generative AI guide from Amherst College.