This 90-minute webinar explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in streamlining the research process, with a focus on using AI tools designed to summarize scholarly articles. As AI continues to transform how researchers discover, analyze, and synthesize information, understanding how to effectively integrate these tools into research workflows is essential. Participants will gain insights into a range of AI summarization tools, their practical applications, and the challenges and ethical considerations associated with their use—particularly in the context of evidence synthesis projects.

Why This Course Matters:

Librarians and information professionals are increasingly called upon to support research activities. This course equips participants with the knowledge to evaluate and apply AI tools that can enhance efficiency and accuracy in summarizing research, ultimately improving support for students, faculty, and research teams.

Key Challenges Addressed:

• Identifying appropriate use cases for AI summarization tools
• Navigating the limitations and risks of AI-generated content
• Integrating AI tools into systematic review and evidence synthesis workflows

Participants will receive a handout with links to all tools, resources, and articles discussed during the session.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify characteristics and functions of AI tools used for summarizing research articles
• Compare the benefits and limitations of AI summarization tools in the context of academic research workflows.
• Demonstrate how to use AI tools to generate summaries from full-text research articles.
• Evaluate the accuracy and appropriateness of AI-generated summaries for use in evidence synthesis projects.
• Integrate AI summarization tools into existing research support services and instructional strategies for library patrons.

Margaret Foster, MS, MPH, AHIP, is the Evidence Synthesis and Scholarly Dissemination Librarian and the Director of the Center for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses at the Medical Sciences Library, Texas A&M University. She is the co-author of Piecing Together Systematic Reviews and Other Evidence Syntheses (2022). She received the Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award in 2024 from the Medical Library Association.

Gary Atwood, MS, MSLIS, is the Evidence Synthesis Librarian and Library Associate Professor at the Dana Health Sciences Library, University of Vermont. He also serves as co-facilitator for the University Libraries AI Implementation Team.

Note: This registration is for the Livestream only and does not offer MLA contact hours. MLA contact hours are not applicable to the MLA Consumer Health Information Specialization.

If you are a LILRC Hospital Member Librarian and are interested in watching this webinar for credit, please contact Sally Stieglitz at sstieglitz@lilrc.org to request a code.

NOTE: This program is available for viewing only. Attendees will not have access to slides, handouts, or recordings. No CEU's will be issued.  LILRC does not have access to speaker contact information.  Through our partnership with MLA, LILRC is given a limited number of seats to open up to our members for viewing purposes only.  This program is not hosted by LILRC, LILRC staff will not be able to assist in accessing this webinar.  If you are having trouble accessing this program please refer to the instructions provided in the Zoom Link email. 

Code of Conduct

For questions, please email Eliscia Cirrone, ecirrone@lilrc.org.

FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS -

1. If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering, please contact Eliscia Cirrone, ecirrone@lilrc.org to check your registration.

2.  If you have any questions regarding this program or registration and program access, please contact Eliscia Cirrone, ecirrone@lilrc.org

3. Please be advised, all invoices for events, programs, or conferences must be paid no later than 60 days from the event date to avoid account suspension.