LibGuides: AI Tools and Resources: Tools for Research

Recommended Research Toolsets

Unlike many of the popular generative toolsets that are still in their infancy, many of the toolsets below have been developed over periods of several years. These toolsets are often developed by non-profit research/programming organizations with the goals of accelerating research methods for things like systematic reviews, visualization, and even generative summaries. Each of the toolsets below is free to use and sets a precedent for being some of the most transparent developments in research-focused AIs.

Elicit
Elicit is an AI-driven search and discovery toolset designed to streamline the research process, offering access to over 200 million academic papers. It integrates publisher partnerships, data providers, and web crawls, facilitating a comprehensive search platform. Initiated in 2015 by the Allen Institute for AI, Elicit is a "free to start", open project aimed at enhancing research quality and accessibility.
ResearchRabbit
Using a complex AI-backed methodology, this platform is a literature mapping tool. Using a “seed” article, the platform finds relevant articles and content to link. Visualized by a bubble map of connected topics, this toolset can be invaluable for finding additional connections across a variety of disciplines as well as staying up to date with up and coming publications. This initiative is supported by a development collective, which has pledged to keep the core discovery functionalities open for all to use. Sign up required to access at researchrabbit.ai. Free to use.
SciSpace
Typeset.io, now known as SciSpace, is a comprehensive academic platform providing access to over 200 million research papers. It assists researchers in discovering, understanding, writing, formatting, and publishing their research. The platform, equipped with AI tools, simplifies academic texts and ensures compliance with journal guidelines. It's a valuable resource for the research community, offering both a vast paper repository and a user-friendly SaaS environment for research authoring. While it's free to get started with SciSpace, expect to pay for their premium model.
Semantic Scholar
Pulling from publisher partnerships, data providers, and web crawls, this AI-driven search and discovery toolset provides a streamlined search platform for over 200 million academic papers. Developed within the Allen Institute for AI, this open project has been worked on since 2015 with the goal of supporting high-quality research. Free to use.
TeacherServer
For those who feel like their prompt engineering skills are limited, TeacherServer provides template prompt options that are powered by an independent AI model. Developed and hosted by USF College of Education faculty member Dr. Zafer Unal, its initial aim was to support K-12 teachers abroad in their work. Anymore, TeacherServer has tools to help generate research questions, develop methodologies, and conduct qualitative analysis.

Popular Generative Toolsets

Over the last two years, several generative AI toolsets have become accessible to the general public through a variety of means. While many of the most popular toolsets are not open-source, several have been made available through the means of various waitlists and credit systems. Below, you will find the most popular generative toolsets.

ChatGPT 3.5
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a generative AI tool that specializes in creating human-like text for conversational AI. Its capabilities extend to answering questions, simulating detailed conversations, writing diverse forms of content, and even coding. The tool finds applications in customer service, virtual assistance, content creation, and educational fields. What makes ChatGPT particularly special is its ability to maintain context over lengthy conversations, coupled with regular updates aimed at enhancing understanding and reducing biases, making it a dynamic and evolving conversational AI model.
Claude 3
Anthropic's Claude 3 is a versatile AI system engineered for a wide range of tasks, including text-based and visual content generation, analysis, and conversation. It's known for its ability to handle complex discussions, generate creative and technical content, and interpret visual data. This AI model distinguishes itself with capabilities in multiple languages and advanced vision, making it adaptable to various global uses. Designed for user-friendliness and precise control over its output, Claude 3 is continually updated to stay at the forefront of AI technology, emphasizing ethical AI use and reducing biases. Its broad applicability makes it a valuable tool across industries, from creative fields to technical domains.
Copilot
Microsoft's integration of AI signifies an advancement in combining traditional web search and productivity tasks with AI-driven capabilities. This integration enhances the work experience by providing more conversational, context-aware responses and creative content generation. The special aspect of Copilot's AI lies in its unique position of merging the Office 365 package with the dynamic functionalities of AI, offering users a more intuitive and enriched work experience.
Gemini
Gemini, created by Google, represents a significant stride in the generative AI landscape, leveraging large language models. It is designed to deliver detailed and accurate information, potentially integrating with Google's vast search database to provide real-time, up-to-date information. Gemini's likely integration into various Google services, including search and assistant technologies, underscores its utility. Its special feature lies in its ability to utilize Google's expertise in search technology, making it a potentially powerful tool for information retrieval and knowledge dissemination.

Specialty Use Toolsets

Specialized AI toolsets, encompassing voice synthesizers, art generators, and music composition AIs, represent a mature segment of generative technology, having been refined over years of dedicated development. Frequently spearheaded by non-profit research and programming entities, these tools are designed with the aim of enhancing creative processes, from producing intricate digital artworks to synthesizing complex musical compositions and lifelike voice outputs. Their development focuses on advancing the capabilities in their respective fields, such as improving the realism of synthetic voices, the authenticity of AI-generated art, and the sophistication of AI-composed music.

DALL-E 3
DALL-E 3, another innovative offering from OpenAI, is an AI model adept at generating images from textual descriptions. This tool excels in creating high-resolution, artistic, and often surreal images, catering to needs in art, design, and visual content generation. DALL-E 3's uniqueness comes from its remarkable resolution, creative versatility, and ability to edit existing images or generate variations, setting new standards in AI-driven creativity and image generation.
Midjourney
Midjourney stands as a generative AI tool focused on image generation, distinguished by its specialized algorithms and output quality. It is designed to create compelling visual content based on various inputs, finding its use in art, design, and content creation. What sets Midjourney apart is the distinct quality and creativity of its visual outputs, showcasing the tool's capabilities in harnessing AI for innovative visual storytelling and design.

Connect:

AI Tools and Resources

Interested in learning about these AI research tools?

Recommended Research Toolsets

Popular Generative Toolsets

Specialty Use Toolsets