Can AI shortcut your scientific literature search? We asked ChatGPT
Description
The article "Can AI Shortcut Your Scientific Literature Search?" by Katy Askew explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific literature searches, specifically comparing AI tools like ChatGPT to specialized databases such as Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA). While AI can assist with literature searches by processing natural language queries and providing access to vast amounts of information, it may include unreliable sources and predatory content due to biases in its training data. In contrast, FSTA employs a controlled vocabulary indexing system that ensures all indexed journals are vetted for credibility, using a rigorous 60-point checklist to exclude predatory publications. This method enhances the precision and relevance of search results, making it a more reliable tool for researchers in food science. The article concludes that while AI offers some advantages, it cannot match the comprehensive and trustworthy results provided by subject-specific databases like FSTA.