Generative AI Tools for Students

Generative AI can be a powerful tool to enhance your content creation, research, and brainstorming processes. To use it effectively, it's essential to understand both its strengths and limitations. Think of generative AI as your personal intern—it performs best with clear, specific instructions and relies on you to review and verify its work. By carefully evaluating the information it provides, you can maximize its benefits while avoiding potential inaccuracies or pitfalls.

Benefits of Generative AI

• Brainstorming: Generate ideas and refine research topics.

• Focusing: Identify relevant keywords and streamline research. For more details, refer to Generating Research Paper Topics with ChatGPT.

• Explaining: Simplify complex concepts.

• Summarizing: Create outlines or condense information.

• Q&A: Ask unlimited questions.

• Language Translation: Perform basic translations.

• Coding Assistance: Write and debug code.

Limitations of Generative AI

• Library Research: Not ideal for in-depth searches—use reliable tools like BU Libraries Search or Google Scholar.
  For more details, see our FAQ: I can't find the citations ChatGPT provided. What should I do?

• High-Stakes Information: Avoid reliance for critical topics like health, legal, or financial advice.

• Cited Sources: Free versions may generate fake citations. Use tools like:

For more accurate results, use AI tools with semantic search—listed on the Writing, Editing, and Research Support page—that summarize sources based on their meaning.

Craft effective prompts to get the most from generative AI tools:

• Set Context: Assign a role to guide responses (e.g., “Act as an expert librarian”).

• Be Specific: Clearly state your request and desired format (e.g., list, table, summary).

• Refine Responses: Use follow-ups to improve answers.

• Example Prompt:
  “Act as an expert academic librarian. I need 10 research topics on climate change for a sociology paper.”

  • Follow-up:

    • “Provide subtopics, research questions, and keywords for one topic.”

    • “I didn’t like those topics. Can you give me 10 more?”

For advanced strategies, please consult:

To make the most of generative AI tools, keep these tips in mind:

• Switching Topics: Start a new chat when changing subjects for clarity.

• Continuing Conversations: Build on previous prompts within the same chat.

• Citations: Verify sources using BU Libraries Search, Google Scholar, or similar tools to avoid fabricated references. For more information please refer to the section on Verifying and Citing Generative AI.

• Output Options: Specify formats (e.g., paragraphs, tables, bulleted lists, code) for tailored results.

• History & Privacy: Manage your chat history and avoid sharing sensitive information. Disable data sharing in settings for privacy.

By applying these tips, you can maximize the benefits of generative AI, enhancing both your efficiency and the quality of your work.