AI tools for finding up-to-date information

Table of contents

For finding up-to-date information, the best suited applications are various search engines connected with chatbots that utilize natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLM). You can ask these applications questions, and they will generate answers based on the information they find. Typically, these applications retrieve their information from freely available online material.

Since language models can process and analyse a vast amount of text, ideally, you will receive quick and relevant responses to your queries, compiled from various sources and crystallized into the most essential points. With these applications, you can also try to find specific type of information, such as statistics or graphs.

These search engine plus chatbot tools are only as useful and reliable as the sources they retrieve their information from. These applications cannot perform source criticism, nor do they evaluate the accuracy or bias of the information.

The applications presented on this page provide references and links to the sources they have utilised in generating their responses. Following these reference links is extremely important because it is the only way to verify whether the source is reliable and to assess whether the generated response matches what is stated in the given source. Sometimes the links also lead to websites that have nothing to do with the generated response.

Chatbots are not useful for searching for scientific sources. For example, the Microsoft Copilot operating in a web browser finds peer-reviewed scientific articles with varying success, especially if the request is made in some other language than English. Instead, use the applications listed on the page AI tools for finding scientific sources. There are two exceptions presented on this page: Consensus and Dimensions Research GPT. They are chatbots designed for discussing scientific questions. They will generate an answer for you based on scientific sources. They retrieve the sources from scientific databases and also recommend scientific sources that are relevant to your question.

Microsoft Copilot

  • Licensed and recommended by the University of Jyväskylä!
  • Microsoft Copilot is an AI-assisted chatbot that utilizes the Bing search engine and OpenAI’s language model.
  • You can find Copilot, for example, in the right-hand sidebar of the Edge web browser.
  • Make sure you are logged into Microsoft’s services with your JYU credentials, so the information from your conversations with Copilot is stored in the JYU cloud.

How to Use

Ask a question: “What were the main outcomes of COP28 congress in Dubai?” 

Or make a request: “Find statistics on social media usage in Europe.”

  • You can continue the conversation by asking follow-up questions.
  • Check the response and its sources. Typically, Copilot answers questions based on sources like Wikipedia, media outlets, and organisational websites.
  • Save the responses with source links using the Copy function for documentation. Also, write down the date when you had the conversation.

Tip:

Microsoft Copilot also assists in “reading” information you have open in the browser – for example, a research article. You can ask Copilot to create a summary, clarify complex text, or ask questions and request answers based on the article. Note that you must specifically ask and ensure that the answers are indeed based on the article. Copilot may also refuse some requests, citing potential copyright violations.

Perplexity

  • Perplexity is a freemium application that offers a stripped-down free version in addition to a paid version. Searches can be made without logging in, but all features of the free version are only available by creating a user account. If you create a user account, please do not use the university email address.
  • Like Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity is a combination of a search engine and a chatbot that utilizes natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning. Similar to Copilot, Perplexity retrieves up-to-date information from the web.

How to Use

Ask a question, for example: “What are the latest decisions made by the UN Security Council?”

  • Ask follow-up questions if needed.
  • Check the answers, sources, and source links. Perplexity relies on similar openly available online sources as Copilot. However, the answers might be slightly more comprehensive than those from Copilot.

Consensus

  • Consensus is a freemium application that offers a stripped-down free version in addition to a paid version.
  • Basic search does not require creating a user account. If you do create a user account, please do not use the university email address.
  • Consensus differs from Copilot and Perplexity in that it retrieves answers to your questions from curated scientific sources, mainly from the Semantic Scholar and OpenAlex databases. This means the reliability of the sources has been assessed for you. Nevertheless, you still need to evaluate the quality and relevance of these sources by yourself, as with all scientific sources.

How to Use

Ask a question, for example: “Does forest bathing have any health impacts?”

  • Questions should ideally be of the kind that can be answered with a yes or no. They should also be the type of questions that could be addressed in scientific research.
  • You will receive a summarized answer and a list of scientific articles on which the answer is based.
  • You will also see how often these articles have been cited and symbols indicating whether the source has been published in a reputable journal or cited more frequently than usual.
  • Additionally, you can see details such as the population group studied, research methods, and outcomes (Study Snapshot).

Dimensions Research GPT

  • Dimensions Research GPT is a generative language model you can use within the OpenAI's ChatGPT interface. Using this GPT is free, but the ChatGPT interface requires a user account. Please do not use the university email address.
  • You can also access the GPT following these steps: Navigate to JYKDOK > search for Dimensions and go to the database > open Apps from the side bar on the left > select Dimensions Research GPT.
  • Dimensions Research GPT answers scientific questions and generates responses based on scientific sources catalogued in the Dimensions database. Only open access sources are used for the responses. You need to evaluate the reliability and scientific quality of the sources by yourself.

How to use

Ask a question, seek information, or request scientific sources for your research topic: Give me an overview of recent research literature discussing the impact of different kinds of intervention strategies in geriatric social work. OR: Are there any recent systematic reviews done on coral restoration?

  • Remember to grant the GPT access to Dimensions: "Dimensions Research GPT wants to talk to ai-api.dimensions.ai" > Allow.
  • You will receive a generated response to your question or request, along with links to references in Dimensions. If the response does not include links, it means the GPT generated the answer without retrieving information from Dimensions. In that case, ask the GPT to use Dimensions as the source of its information.
  • The GPT may misinterpret your prompt or generate irrelevant content. However, you can always iterate and continue the conversation. For example, you can refine your prompt or ask for more detailed or accurate information. Additionally, you can request that the answer is only based on specific types of sources, such as original articles, or studies using certain methods, such as randomized controlled trials (RCT) or longitudinal studies.
  • If English is not your first language, you can try chatting also in other languages. 

How to cite:

Open Science Centre (2024), AI in information seeking. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä. Online resource. (Retrieved: dd.mm.yyyy)

AI in information seeking

Tips and tools for utilising AI in information seeking.

AI tools for finding scientific sources

Utilise AI assistants and applications in your search for academic literature and sources..

AI tools for brainstorming

Utilise AI chatbots for brainstorming research topics and search terms.