Want Practical Advice on Using AI? Ask A Librarian.
The research landscape has changed. Artificial intelligence — the new kid on the block — has quickly gained a foothold on university campuses. Librarians have updated their skills accordingly.
The University of Tennessee System provides guidelines for faculty/staff members and for students on the ethical use of AI in instruction or coursework. Student use of AI technology in completing coursework is at the discretion of the individual instructor. Even if permitted, users must adhere to the university’s stated guidelines.
Students may use AI to fill in gaps in understanding or to have a concept explained in a new way. Generative AI (AI that uses machine learning algorithms to produce or remix content) provides a low-stakes environment for asking questions and gathering introductory information on new topics.
Check with your subject librarian.
If a member of the university wishes to use AI to aid in learning or research, the question may arise: Which AI tool is best for the job? Here, a librarian may be the best authority.
Students and even some faculty members may not be aware that — whatever their discipline — there is a librarian with subject-matter expertise in their field of study.
Academic librarians are committed to helping members of the university community find and evaluate information. Choosing the best AI tool for a project falls well within those parameters. If you are considering using AI, check with your subject librarian.
Library patrons have also sought advice on whether they should publish their research in open access publications if they are worried about others using AI to scrape their research.
Online Research Guides
You may also consult a library-created online research guide in your field of study. Depending on your field of study, certain AI tools may be more successful in retrieving relevant information and providing better summaries.
Curious about trying generative AI? Wondering how to frame a clear and effective prompt? Explore our Using Generative AI research guide.
Other useful research guides include:
UT Libraries also offers a self-paced, interactive tutorial that provides an introductory resource for using generative AI effectively and ethically in the research and writing process.
Information Literacy
Librarians have taught AI literacy workshops for individual classes. An upcoming workshop offered in partnership with the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center will help students evaluate AI-generated information.
Workshop:
"Navigate Information Literacy and Technology"
Wednesday, March 25
HSS 212, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
In our digital world, it can be increasingly difficult to determine whether information is accurate and credible. In this workshop, librarian Erin Whitaker will walk you through the basics of information literacy, share digital reference materials, and show you how to assess Large Language Model-generated output for validity.