Starting today, AI Insights Summaries have been added to EBSCO Discovery and EBSCOhost databases like Academic Search Premier and Business Source Ultimate.
What are they? AI Insights Summaries assist users in assessing an article’s relevance to their research by providing a new button in the result list. This feature uses Generative AI to create on-demand summaries of 2-5 key points, based on the full text of the article. An AI Insight is grounded in the full text of the article and, therefore, is only available when the article is hosted by EBSCO. It's most likely to appear next to peer reviewed articles provided by EBSCO itself in EBSCO Discovery and EBSCO database results.
When available, click the Generate AI Insights (Beta) button to see the article summary.
As we can see from the label, EBSCO still considers this a Beta. Please note the disclaimer at the end of every summary: “These insights are generated by AI based on the content of the source document. Information quality may vary and AI Insights should be validated for accuracy.”
In addition to AI Insights Summaries, Natural Language Search has also been enabled as the default search mode. Natural Language Search (NLS) allows researchers to search using everyday language in question or statement form. Previously the default search mode was “find all words” when searching, but now EBSCO Discovery uses AI models to help understand the intent behind your entered search. Boolean/Phrase will remain the default search mode in EBSCOhost databases like Academic Search and CINAHL.
This is only the beginning, and you will see other AI enhancements added in EBSCO Discovery later this year. We will update the Library Blog again when new features launch.
In addition to the AI Insights Summaries and Natural Language Search, there is also now a PICOT search mode for our nursing and health sciences researchers. The PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time) search mode is especially relevant for nursing students to help them best formulate effective keywords. You can find the mode in EBSCO Discovery and EBSCOhost databases, near the option to switch to either Basic or Advanced Search modes, depending on which one you're already looking at. It is also linked to on nursing subject guides.
One last EBSCO update: Business Source Ultimate now uses EBSCO's new Business Searching Interface. The new interface highlights case studies, company profiles, and SWOT analysis reports, amongst other business tools. It helps researchers access relevant information types with greater accuracy. To see the new interface, just visit Business Source Ultimate.
You will likely see more and more AI tools appear in library resources. For instance, ProQuest has also added AI tools and features after accessing an article. You'll see their own AI summaries and other research tools on the search results page or after opening an article in ProQuest. Read more about ProQuest AI Research Assistant.
Please reach out to the PG Library staff with any questions about these new features or other questions you may have.
