The AI Tool That Could Replace Half Your Research Workload

Key Concepts:

• AI-powered research tools
• Literature review automation
• Citation mapping
• Research gap identification
• Academic AI tool building
• Bibliometric analysis
• AI-assisted writing and editing
• Data extraction from research papers
• Custom AI tool creation

1. Introduction to Answer This

• The video introduces "Answer This," an AI tool designed to streamline various aspects of academic research.
• The tool aims to replace traditional research methods by offering smarter ways to find research gaps, map citations, write literature reviews, and draft papers.
• It is described as an ambitious tool that not only provides these features but also allows researchers to build their own academic AI tools.
• The presenter uses the pro version of the tool but notes that the light version is also powerful and available for free.

2. Core Features and Functionality

• Interface: The interface resembles a typical chatbot, with an area to type research questions and add tags.
• "Auto" Function: The "auto" function allows the AI to choose the best approach for the task, with options for full review or quick Q&A.
• Source Selection: Users can upload PDFs, search for papers online, and search their own libraries.
• Mode Selection: Options for "light" and "pro" modes, with the pro version offering more features.
• Filters: Advanced filters allow users to specify minimum citations, databases, research papers, web searches, patent searches, library searches, and journal quality (Q1, Q2, or all).
• Example: The presenter demonstrates a search for a literature review on "advancements of self-healing electrodes and nano composite materials."

3. Literature Review Capabilities

• The tool generates literature reviews, but the presenter notes that other AI tools may provide more detailed reviews.
• Answer This is particularly useful for finding references.
• The presenter expresses surprise that a search with specific criteria (Q1 journals, up to 20 references) only yielded six references.
• The tool provides the search parameters used, allowing users to rerun searches with different settings.

4. Post-Output Analysis and Tools

• Unlike many AI tools that simply provide the output, Answer This offers additional tools for deeper analysis.
• Side Panel: A side panel provides options such as sources, table views, and the ability to chat with documents (if PDFs are available).
• Bibliometric Analysis: Users can select multiple sources and run a bibliometric analysis to gain insights into the research area.
  • This includes publications by year, citations by year, combined publications and citations, citation impact, word clouds (abstract word clouds), and top authors.
  • The presenter highlights the value of identifying top authors for further research.
• Follow-up Questions: Users can ask follow-up questions to further explore the topic.

5. AI Editor

• The "Edit with AI" feature provides an AI editor for refining the generated text.
• Assistant: The assistant analyzes the text and provides feedback.
• Outline Generation: Generates an outline for the text.
• Question Answering: Provides full answers to questions related to the text.
• Text Manipulation: Users can highlight text and reword it, summarize it, generate questions, or use custom prompts.
• Source Searching: The editor allows users to search for new sources to support the text, using the same search settings as the main page.
• Data Extraction: The tool can extract data from research papers.
• Continued Writing: Users can instruct the AI to continue writing from a specific point, maintaining the same structure and flow.

6. Additional Tools and Features

• Explore Tools: The main page offers access to a range of additional tools.
• Library: Users can upload documents to the library, extract data, and add columns for key findings.
• Table View: The table view provides a summary of all papers, with columns for research gaps, future work, and key findings.
• Search Papers: A dedicated search function for finding relevant papers.
• Citation Map: Similar to Litmaps or Research Rabbit, this feature allows users to visualize the network of citations around a seed paper.
  • Users can add multiple origin papers and explore the connections.
• Diagram: The tool can generate diagrams such as flowcharts, state diagrams, and mind maps.
  • The presenter demonstrates the creation of a mind map for OPV devices.
• Tools Section: Provides access to a variety of tools categorized under writing, research, analysis, and productivity.
• Empathy Tool: A tool developed in collaboration with universities to assist with the peer review process.

7. Custom AI Tool Creation

• The "Create" feature allows users to build their own AI tools tailored to their specific research needs.
• Users can define the tool's purpose, add descriptions, specify system prompts, and select capabilities.
• The presenter suggests using ChatGPT Playground to generate detailed descriptions for the tool.
• Users can upload PDFs to train the tool.

8. Conclusion

• Answer This is an ambitious tool that aims to be a one-stop shop for researchers.
• The developers are responsive to user feedback and are continuously improving the tool.
• The presenter is impressed with the direction the tool is taking and looks forward to future developments.