There are numerous AI tools available for academic study, teaching, and research. We've compiled a brief list below to help you get started.
Please note: AI tools are constantly evolving, with new ones emerging and free versions potentially transitioning to paid versions over time.
Free tools | Completely free to use with all features. |
Freeware tools | Includes basic functionality for free. Additional features may require payment. |
Paid tools | Can only be used after purchasing, and agreeing to, a product licence. |
When considering the use of AI Tools be mindful of university policies/principles and expectations of their use for study and assignments.
Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that uses machine learning algorithms to generate new data based on existing data.
Tool | Summary | Help and tutorials | Cost |
Anthropic's Claude 3.5 | Chatbot. A genAI Large Language Model, in open beta and has limited unpaid users. | How to use the new Claude 3.5 Sonnet | Freeware |
Gemini (Google) | Chatbot. An internet-connected genAI tool, powered by PaLM2 and it is free. | Freeware | |
Microsoft Copilot | Charles Sturt provides staff and students access to the secure version of Microsoft Copilot. | For further information and details on how to access Copilot please see Charles Sturt’s Microsoft Copilot | Freeware |
OpenAI's ChatGPT | Chatbot. A genAI chatbot, the current free version of ChatGPT now includes access to GPT-4o.for the free version there are limits to how many messages can be sent using GPT-4o in a given session, after which the model defaults back to GPT-3.5 temporarily. | Ultimate ChatGPT 4o Guide 2024: How to use ChatGPT for beginners | Freeware |
For those undertaking more research heavy assessments, honours projects or systematic-like reviews, you may benefit from utilising some of the more research focused and literature mapping AI tools.
If you plan on publishing, some further guidance for use of these tools is provided in the Where to publish: Scholarly publishing & Generative AI Libguide.
Tools | Summary | Help & tutorials | Cost |
ResearchRabbit | A citation-based literature mapping tool. Add relevant seed papers to a collection to receive recommendations for related, or connected, papers. Simple keyword search function also provided. Free to use, login with a free account. | Welcome to Research Rabbit | Free |
Semantic Scholar | AI-powered academic search and discovery tool. AI algorithms assist in discovering hidden connections and links between research topics. New Semantic Reader application contextualises citations and improves accessibility among other features. Free to use, login with a free account. | Semantic Scholar 101: search | Free |
Connected Papers | Creates a graph that maps literature related to an inputted paper. Input using an existing article, or conduct a topic search to locate an article. Search engine is powered by Semantic Scholar. Free tier (offering 5 graphs per month) available. | How to use connected papers to find similar and relevant research literature papers/tutorial review | Freeware |
SciSpace | Is a comprehensive academic platform providing access to over 200 million research papers. Assists researchers in discovering, understanding, writing, formatting, and publishing their research. Simplifies academic texts and ensures compliance with journal guidelines. Free to use, login with a free account. | Introducing SciSpace | Freeware |
Keenious | An AI-based tool to help find high quality research papers to enhance your work. Analyses the downloaded article, a link to the article, a selected passage from the article or written text and recommends similar or related content. Find ideas for an essay or article. You can use Keenious directly in Word, through a web browser or in Google Docs. | Keenious product video | Freeware |
AI tools designed with teachers in mind, aimed at streamlining lesson planning and reducing administrative tasks.
Tools | Summary | Help and tutorials | Cost | |
Otter AI | Creates meeting notes. Real time transcriptions. Can use to record collaborative meetings and discussions. Also has a workspace for teams and organisations. | Otter quick start guide | Freeware | |
Eduaide AI |
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Eduaide.ai quick run-through Eduaide - AI for teacher |
Freeware | |
Goblin Tools | Magic ToDo - Input an item you have to do and it generates a list of smaller steps to help manage those big tasks. Formalizer - improves ideas/writing. Judge - helps identify tone of text. Estimates timeframe of tasks. Generates a list of tasks based on random thoughts input. Chef - Write ingredients, dietary needs, serving sizes and anything else needed to get a recipe for what you can cook. | What the tech: Goblin Tools | Free (App requires small one-off fee) | |
Immerse zone | Helps reverse image search using image file or sketch. Searches quotes. | How to find similar images with Immerse.zone AI | Free | |
ChatTube | ChatTube allows you to chat with YouTube videos in real-time using AI - ask questions, get summaries, pinpoint key points, translate content, and more. | Paid |
See Futurepedia for an ever-expanding list or check out There’s an AI for that.
Adapted from: Charles Sturt University Library. (2024). AI tools. In Using AI tools at university. Charles Sturt University. Retrieved from https://opentext.csu.edu.au/usingai
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