Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT or Gemini offer rapidly evolving ways to interact with information, and may be helpful in the literature search process. While each tool is unique, it is important to consider broad strengths and weaknesses when using AI in the literature search process:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Note: Some content in this guide has been adapted from: AI, ChatGPT, and the Library by Amy Scheelke from Salt Lake Community College, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0, except where otherwise noted.
As you use AI tools in the literature search process:
Consider using AI to explore ideas and research questions, or to generate additional search terms for your literature search
Avoid using article citations produced by generative AI without careful validation in credible sources (e.g., PubMed, the publisher or journal's website, Google Scholar, or other scientific databases), and read cited papers to verify claims
Review generated text critically and always verify across multiple credible resources
Plan for transparency: many publishers require authors to acknowledge how AI tools were used in the research process
Consider the privacy, security, and copyright implications of any text pasted into generative AI platforms, and any content produced from these tools
Below are some tools to explore, keeping the considerations above in mind. Take some time to investigate the features and caveats of any tools you use.
For brief video introductions to a few of these tools, please see Wake Forest University's Speed Dating with [AI] Databases and Tools guide.