If you have used Unitec Library’s databases or eBooks recently, you may have noticed some new AI features. Several of our databases now have GenAI integrations. These features use Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models, which means that the generated content comes from within the database collections only. This makes it a very safe use of AI, which has been approved by the Unitec-MIT AI Governance Committee.
For example, the AI Insights feature (available in the EBSCO databases) and the Research Assistant (ProQuest databases) help users to assess the usefulness of a full-text article, by generating and highlighting 2-5 key points per document. This AI functionality complements the use of abstracts as a way of selecting articles from a list of search results. Some of the library’s eBooks also provide key concepts and chapter-level takeaways.
Related sources are also sometimes suggested by these AI tools – these suggestions may help the user to broaden their research. For example, ProQuest’s Research Assistant will offer some suggested sources to explore, and the Ebook Central Research Assistant suggests related eBooks from the collection.
We’re aware that the technology is changing quite fast, and AI functionality will continue to be added to the library’s resources.
If you would like more information about this, or a demonstration of the features within the databases for your subject area, please contact your Subject Librarian
