Day 21 – Research Topics In A Flash Using AI – 30 Day AI Challenge 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Edition of the #30DayAIChallenge. This year, we’ll be focusing on making Generative AI more accessible for all. So follow along and give each challenge a try yourself, plus share your own thoughts and experiments with a community of like-minded learners and tinkerers!*

Week 3’s theme is “School of Bots“, tackling AI and education, with a view on improving our ability to learn, as well as teach others (including our kids!).

Today’s Challenge: Speed Up Your Content Research Using AI

Research can often be a time-consuming task, involving hours of sifting through search engine results, academic papers, and various online resources. Gen AI can really speed up this process, enabling both students and professionals to gather information quickly and efficiently. Today, we will explore how popular AI tools can transform the way we research, making it faster, more comprehensive, and possibly even more accurate.

Getting Started

If you’re new to using AI tools for research, the process can seem a bit daunting at first. However, with the right tools and approach, you can start researching any topic in a flash. Here are a few tips:

1. Choose the Right AI Research Tool: Start with user-friendly AI platforms designed for research, such as ChatGPT. These tools can help you get summaries, find sources, and understand complex topics quickly.
2. Be Specific with Your Queries: The more specific your questions, the more accurate and relevant your answers will be. For instance, instead of searching for “climate change,” try “effects of climate change on polar bears in the Arctic.”
3. Verify the Information: Always cross-reference the information provided by AI with credible sources. This step is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of your research.
4. Experiment with Different Tools: There are various AI research tools available, each with its unique strengths. Experiment with a few to find which one suits your needs the best.

Everyday Research Challenges to Try Out

1. Topic Exploration: You’re vaguely interested in “machine learning applications in healthcare.” Have a language model like ChatGPT suggest 3-5 specific niche research topics within that broad area.
2. Finding the Right Paper: You need a recent article on “the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.” Use a custom GPT (see examples below) on ChatGPT or Google Gemini to find relevant studies, and have it summarize a few key points.
3. Drafting a Section: Write a short, jargon-filled paragraph about your research topic. Ask a language model to rephrase it in simpler, more accessible terms for your audience.

Practical Example 1: A Quick Topical Summary

Given Google’s excellent search capabilities, including niche products like Google Scholar, I decided to run a quick test…I simply asked Google Gemini to give me a high level summary of the latest thinking on a specific topic – in this case, the Gut Microbiome. Here’s what I got in a few seconds…a great place to start digging further (or even just get the gist on a topic if that’s what you’re after):

Practical Example 2: Finding Research Content Quickly

In this example, I decided to use a custom GPT – ChatGPT offers up a variety of popular GPTs, like Consensus, Scholar GPT and Scholar AI that help you search across a vast library of Academic and Research Papers…plus most custom integrations like Wolfram, which can speak to the computational engine Wolfram Alpha and combine that with the power of ChatGPT.

I asked the same question on the Gut Microbiome, along with relevant links to papers and here’s what I got:

Advanced Techniques for Experts:

For those with more experience, AI can not only speed up research but also uncover insights that might not be immediately apparent:

1. Leverage Specialized Databases: Use AI tools that integrate with specialized databases or academic search engines for in-depth research. Examples include Research Rabbit, Elicit and Scite.
2. Utilize Natural Language Processing (NLP) Tools: Advanced NLP tools can analyze large volumes of text to identify trends, sentiments, and patterns that would be difficult for a human researcher to spot.
3. Automate Data Collection and Analysis: Use AI to automate the mundane parts of the research process, allowing you to focus on synthesis and insight generation.

Wrap Up

AI has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort involved in research, making it an invaluable tool for students, academics, and professionals alike. As the tech continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated tools that will make research not just faster, but also more insightful and creative. The future of research looks bright, and it’s within our grasp to harness this technology responsibly and innovatively.

If you give any of these tools or challenges a try, leave a comment and share your experience! If you’re using other platforms to post, please tag your Facebook, Twitter / X or LinkedIn post with #30DayAIChallenge so others can find it too.

Till tomorrow…

*Please note: Participation in the 30 Day AI Challenge is at your own discretion and responsibility. Always ensure that no sensitive personal information, confidential, or proprietary company data is shared. Adhere to all applicable local laws and company policies. Enjoy exploring AI responsibly!