IU Libraries explores new frontier with AI tools
Trials of AI research tools and AI exploration challenge runs in March
The Explor"AI"tion in the Age of AI exhibit currently on display in the Wells Library Lobby.
Trialing innovative AI tools
This month, students and faculty both have the opportunity to explore the new frontier of Artificial Intelligence with IU Libraries.
IU Bloomington Libraries is offering trials of three AI-powered research tools for faculty members to test: Scite, Elicit, and Scopus AI. Scite has access to over 1.3 billion citation statements from more than 185 million publications; it is designed to go beyond the traditional citation to explore how and why research is cited. Elicit, which searches across 138 million academic papers and thousands of clinical trials, is designed to help search for scientific literature and summarize findings.
“Scopus, on the other hand, is a product that we already subscribe to, but which has an additional new AI component that can create summaries of research literature, concept maps, and lists of what it terms foundational documents,” Anna Marie Johnson, Associate Dean for Research and Learning Services, said.
Johnson explained that these tools are less likely to hallucinate than large language models, like ChatGPT, and can provide more trustworthy citations of scholarly literature.
“However, these tools are still in their infancy,” Johnson said. “They will not work well for every discipline. It may not be worth the substantial investment – anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 per year – to subscribe until they are more fully developed.”
Because of the price, to best serve the IU community with its budget, IU Libraries is soliciting feedback from faculty to see if these tools would be an efficient long-term investment.
“Faculty feedback is crucial,” Johnson said. “IU Libraries exists to support the research and teaching missions of the university. All our purchasing decisions are directed toward those aims. Faculty are in the position to help us determine if the tools are supportive of their work.”
Encouraging students to engage critically with AI tools
Students are invited to participate in the IU Libraries Explor”AI”tion Challenge focused on using AI tools efficiently and effectively with critical thinking skills.
The challenge, hosted on Canvas, gives students the chance to work on their critical thinking skills, then put them to the test. Students are asked to analyze and practice fact-checking AI-generated outputs.
After completing the challenge, students can enter to win one of five Lego flower kits designed for builders of all ages.
“You don’t need to be AI-savvy to do this Challenge,” Taylor Burnette, a Research Assistant at the Learning Commons Research Desk, said. “We wanted to make something that every student, as long as they’re excited to learn, can participate in.”
The Explor”AI”tion Challenge focuses on the less technical side of AI usage.
“Using AI, as the University's Gen AI 101 course reminds us, does not mean turning off our brains,” Johnson said. “In fact, because the technology is so new and not well understood, it is vital that we engage our critical thinking if we choose to use these tools.”
Supporting our campus and your information needs
IU Libraries has always been invested in supporting the information needs of the IU Bloomington campus. This mission stays the same as new technologies emerge.
“Librarians have a deep interest in how people interact with information,” Johnson said. “We have long been proponents of helping people understand how to find and evaluate information. We see artificial intelligence as another way that people will engage with the information ecosystem, so we want to be there to guide and assist as we always have.”
Interested in learning more?
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Contributors
Taylor Burnette
Railsback Fellow for Library Engagement 2024-2026