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Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming widely adopted across industries ranging from healthcare to finance. These tools streamline manual processes, enhance efficiency in handling tasks of all complexities, and significantly boost workplace productivity. With new AI models being released almost every month, their problem-solving capabilities, reliability, and transparency continue to advance. Notably, recent models have even surpassed human performance in tackling complex challenges, such as the PhD-level GPQA Diamond test.

How Researchers Can Use AI Tools to Boost Productivity

AI tools offer researchers powerful ways to streamline their work. They can automate repetitive tasks like data extraction or entry, visualize data, and serve as co-pilots for creative writing, brainstorming, and iterative processes. While industries like finance, technology, and business have quickly embraced AI, some academic researchers have been slower to adopt these tools. However, this is shifting, as clinical research demonstrates immense potential for AI tools across the research life cycle—from study design to manuscript formatting. Let’s explore how researchers can use AI tools responsibly, efficiently, and effectively to enhance productivity and impact.

Choosing the Right AI Tools

When selecting AI tools, researchers should consider the distinction between general-purpose and task-specific tools. General-purpose tools like ChatGPT (or other large language models) offer versatility across a wide range of tasks. In contrast, task-specific tools, also called vertical AI tools, focus on a narrow set of functions. For instance, tools designed to format manuscripts for journals can complete this task with precision, requiring little to no additional input. These specialized tools are fine-tuned to meet specific user needs, offering high accuracy and independence in performing targeted tasks. Increasingly, researchers are turning to task-specific AI tools for their ability to deliver impressive and practical results.

Ethical Considerations When Using AI Tools

Ethical considerations are crucial when integrating AI tools into research workflows. First, these tools can produce errors, making it essential for researchers to verify their outputs. This is especially critical for data analysis, visualization, and scientific writing, where errors—or "hallucinations"—can occur. Second, transparency in the use of AI tools is vital. Although initially met with skepticism, the academic community is increasingly recognizing the value of these tools. Researchers should disclose their use of AI tools and take responsibility for their outputs. Lastly, data privacy must be considered. Researchers should understand data ownership and privacy policies when submitting information to AI tools, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards.

By leveraging AI tools thoughtfully and ethically, researchers can maximize their efficiency and expand the impact of their work while maintaining accountability and transparency.

5 Top AI Tools for Academic Researchers in 2024

Here is a list of 5 Tools that clinical researchers should use in 2024 to capitalize on the value of their time to help become a highly productive researcher.

1. Resub

Resub is a specialized AI tool designed to automate manuscript formatting for medical journals. Researchers can simply upload their manuscript as a docx file, choose a target journal and article type, and receive a fully formatted manuscript within minutes. Unlike general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT, Resub leverages a detailed database of journal requirements to ensure highly accurate formatting. It also carefully considers references, tables, and figures to comply with journal guidelines. Additionally, users earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for each reformat, offering an added benefit and potential funding support from institutions or employers.

2. Jenni AI 

Jenni.AI is an AI writing assistant that uses large language models to streamline manuscript writing, content structuring, and citation management. Widely adopted by undergraduate students, graduate students, and academic researchers, it has gained significant popularity in recent years. Jenni.AI is an excellent tool for automating the writing process for manuscripts, grants, and book chapters.

3. Julius AI

Julius AI is a specialized AI tool designed for data visualization, analytics, and computation. It transforms raw data into high-quality analyses and visualizations using simple English prompts. This tool is ideal for researchers who want to streamline data analysis without investing hours in R or Python. As an added benefit, Julius AI provides the underlying code for each analysis, allowing researchers to review, save, and include it as part of their manuscript record.

 

4. Scite 

Scite began as an innovative citation system helping researchers understand the context of citations to their work. It has since evolved into a robust AI writing assistant that integrates real citations to back up statements. Scite empowers researchers to explore connections between studies, discover new papers, and produce well-cited manuscripts with ease.

5. ChatGPT

No AI tools list is complete without mentioning ChatGPT or other general foundational models. Major players like Meta, Google, and Anthropic offer powerful large language models (LLMs) that improve monthly, with each excelling in slightly different areas. However, these differences evolve so quickly that most LLMs are largely interchangeable. Instead of debating which model to use, researchers should focus on mastering effective prompting techniques and integrating LLMs into their workflows. These models excel at brainstorming, structuring manuscript content, enhancing writing style, and summarizing large texts. Like any skill, maximizing the potential of LLMs requires practice and experience, but the benefits are well worth the effort.

The Future of AI Tools in Clinical Research

AI tools are set to revolutionize not just the research process—from study design to publication—but also our broader engagement with science itself. By automating the repetitive and time-consuming aspects of the research life cycle, these tools empower researchers to focus on ideation, collaboration, and sharing their discoveries. This increased efficiency allows individuals to maximize their impact, achieving more in less time.

If you’re ready to explore AI tools for streamlining your research workflows, Resub is the perfect place to start. Specifically designed for clinical researchers, Resub automates manuscript formatting with unparalleled accuracy, freeing you to concentrate on your science, not the formatting details. Plus you can sign up and try it out for free! AI tools are here to stay, start mastering them today.

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