The number of new AI LLM tools has exploded in the past couple of years. I have tested and experimented with the more well-known tools listed above, but here is a sampling of a few more and very brief info about what they do. You can find them all with a quick search in your browser. Some are available free to users who create an account/login, others require a paid or institutional subscription.
As many know by now, one of the biggest issues with using AI language models for academic research is that they make stuff up and present falsehoods as facts. This makes them unsuitable for tasks where accuracy is extremely important, but at the same time, presents opportunities for important discussions about misinformation and bias.
What can tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot do? They can help you get ideas for how to begin your research and search for scholarship. It can suggest keywords, search strings, and format citations. You can prompt ChatGPT to be more specific in one or more areas, but note that the same will happen - a mix of good ideas, wrong ideas, and overly broad suggestions.
There are better alternatives to ChatGPT/Gemini/Copilot for academic research, instead try Perplexity AI or Elicit AI. Do not trust or accept citations that are suggested by any AI program- track down and verify every source that is mentioned.
