Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are designed to think, reason, learn, make decisions, and respond in ways that mimic human behavior (Frakenfield, 2022).. In everyday language, AI often describes any technology that can learn from data, solve problems, or adapt its actions over time without being explicitly programmed for every step.

AI is not a single technology, but a broad field encompassing many tools and techniques—from simple algorithms that recommend the next video you watch, to advanced neural networks powering language models and autonomous systems. You may encounter AI in familiar ways: mapping applications that find the fastest route, predictive text suggestions in email, recommendation systems on streaming platforms, self-driving vehicles, and facial recognition for unlocking smartphones.

Beyond daily life, AI plays a growing role in research, education, and professional practice across all disciplines. In the sciences, it can analyze large datasets to identify patterns faster than humans could alone. In the arts and humanities, AI can support creative processes, linguistic analysis, and digital preservation. Whether in a lab, a library, or a classroom, AI is shaping how information is discovered, organized, and used. 

For more specific information about Generative AI Tools, visit Generative AI Tools for Students

The following list includes AI tools better suited for academic work:

• Scite.ai - An AI citation analysis tool that utilizes smart citations to support scholarly research. The University of Calgary has an institutional licence for this tool.
• Scopus AI is Elsevier’s generative AI-powered research assistant that synthesizes trusted, peer-reviewed content from the extensive Scopus database, offering referenced summaries, concept maps, and emerging themes to help researchers explore topics. It is accessible through the Scopus platform, and is available in the main search box within Scopus. 

These are not monitored or supported by the library, but can be helpful for research. 

• ResearchRabbit - ResearchRabbit allows users to input articles into collections to allow users to search for related papers.
• Consensus - Consensus is an AI-powered search engine which utilizes Semantic Scholar for its searches, sourcing whatever research it uses in its summaries.
• Undermind - An AI-powered scientific research support tool which draws from Semantic Scholar to provide users with summaries of scholarly works.
• Elicit - Elicit is an AI-powered research tool that searches Semantic Scholar that can assist users with literature reviews.

This guide is designed for both students and instructors who want to understand how to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools thoughtfully, responsibly, and ethically in academic work. It brings together practical advice, examples, and scholarly perspectives to help you:

• Critically engage with AI tools: understanding their strengths, limitations, and potential biases.

• Explore discipline-specific applications: from generating ideas and summarizing readings to assisting with data analysis and creative projects.

• Stay informed about current developments: including widely discussed tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, & Notebook LLM and emerging trends in AI research and policy.

Throughout, the focus is on using AI in ways that enhance learning and uphold academic integrity. As Eaton and Anselmo (2023)  note, “If we think of artificial intelligence apps as another tool that students can use to ethically demonstrate their knowledge and learning, then we can emphasize learning as a process not a product.”

By approaching AI as one of many tools in your academic toolkit, you can make informed choices about when and how to use it, evaluate its outputs critically, and ensure your work remains your own.

Centre for Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Literacy and Integrity at the University of Calgary. CAIELI is a transdisciplinary initiative between Libraries and Cultural Resources and Werklund School of Education. 

These links are to resources that include background information, such as information about the companies that own popular AI tools, definitions of terms that are often spoken about alongside AI, and basic information on how to use generalised AI tools. 

This Artificial Intelligence Guide by Bronte Chiang is licensed under a Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International License. 

Please email us at bronte.chiang@ucalgary.ca if you have used or adapted this guide at your institution.