UPDATED - Enhancing Research with PaperGuide AI

Plus Tackling Misinformation and AI's Role in Education

UPDATED With Video Tutorial

Welcome to this week's edition of The AI School Librarian Newsletter! In this issue, we explore an exciting new tool to assist students with research, delve into AI ethics and the misinformation it spreads, and highlight some insightful reads from the AI education landscape. AI Tool of the Week: PaperGuide

AI Tool of the Week: PaperGuide

This week, I discovered a fantastic AI tool called PaperGuide, and it has the potential to transform how students approach research projects. If you’ve been following the newsletter, you may remember NotebookLM—well, PaperGuide shares similar features with a few unique twists.

PaperGuide makes it easier for students to interact with the academic papers, database articles, and websites they find. It allows students to upload documents, ask questions, and receive detailed responses complete with citations and links. The platform also features a reference manager, instant summaries, and even a writing assistant to support the research and citation process.

One of the most useful aspects of PaperGuide is its ability to help students navigate lengthy documents by highlighting key sections, saving them from needing to read every page. This allows them to focus on deeper analysis and critical thinking instead of getting bogged down by tedious administrative tasks.

The platform offers both a free and paid version. The free version restricts users to 25 AI chats per day, while the paid version offers unlimited usage. Definitely worth trying out in your classroom or library!

Link to Video with the ability to have multiple languages CC - https://app.screencastify.com/v3/watch/VCsCw30Z4Xgf2F3aCKxA

YouTube video without CC-

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AI Ethics Corner: Misinformation in AI-Generated Political Content

This week in our ethics corner, I wanted to touch on a pressing issue: AI-generated misinformation, particularly regarding political figures.

A recent article from Proof News highlights the inaccuracies AI models, including those used by major platforms, are spreading about public figures like Vice President Kamala Harris. These models often rely on outdated or incorrect data, raising concerns about the reliability of AI when it comes to political facts. With the upcoming presidential election, this issue becomes even more significant. Ensuring accuracy in AI-generated content is crucial to avoid misinformation that could influence public perception and discourse.

Read the full article here: Proof News - AI Models Struggle with Kamala Harris Facts.

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AI Reading List:

Here are some must-read articles from the AI in education world this week:

1. Critical Inkling - School District AI Policy
   This article discusses the challenges school districts face in developing AI policies. It highlights the need for clear, ethical guidelines to protect student data and ensure equitable access to AI tools. Districts are urged to involve educators and experts in the process to create thoughtful policies that balance innovation with student safety. Read more here: Critical Inkling - School District AI Policy.

2. EdSource - Students Using AI Did Worse on Tests
   A recent experiment revealed that students who relied on AI tools actually performed worse on tests compared to those who didn’t. This finding raises important questions about the over-reliance on AI and its potential to hinder critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The article suggests that educators need to find the right balance between AI integration and traditional learning.

   Read more here: EdSource - Students Using AI Did Worse on Tests.

3. EdSurge - Will AI Make Standardized Tests Obsolete?
   Could AI be the key to moving beyond standardized tests? This article explores how AI's ability to assess critical thinking and personalized learning could reshape traditional testing models. While there are benefits, such as individualized assessments, concerns about fairness, bias, and accessibility persist.

   Read the full article here: EdSurge - Will AI Make Standardized Tests Obsolete?.

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Conclusion:

As we continue to explore AI’s role in education, it's clear that these tools offer both opportunities and challenges. PaperGuide is a great resource to enhance students' research experiences, but it’s important to remember the ethical implications, especially when AI intersects with sensitive areas like politics and learning outcomes.

Stay curious and cautious as you integrate AI into your classrooms, and let’s keep these conversations going! I’m excited to hear how you’re using AI with your students—feel free to reach out and share your stories.

Until next time,
Elissa Malespina
The AI School Librarian